Chapter12: Target
~ New Orleans~
Tire of hearing his brother and friend trying to defend their actions Lucky stood up and almost yelled.
" That's enough! I can't believe you. We just saved your butt out there and the only thing you have to say is how stupid we are? Let me tell you something. We just lost 10 months of our lives trying to find you, worrying and busting our butts so we could get a hold of what was going on. I'm not going to stand here and listen at what you have to say, if you don't have a nice thing to say just shut the hell up. We are here and we are in it, like it or not. The woman you're looking for is my mother and am not going home without her. And without you either. Have something to say about that?"
" Am sorry."
" You don't have to be, Luke." Elizabeth looked at him.
" Oh, no babe. Don't get me wrong am not sorry for what I said or what I've done. I know all of you have invested your time and effort in this search, but this doesn't concern you. This is my battle not yours. I'm going to find Laura and am going to get rid of Helena once and for all. But am going to do it alone. So you all go on home and stop playing spy."
" Like hell we will!" Lucky was dead serious. " I already told you am staying. This is my mother we are talking about. Am not going anywhere."
" Am staying too. I let you down Luke. You trusted me and I blew it, but she's my mother too. Am not going anywhere."
" Are you kids deaf or just plain stupid. I'm not going to put any of you in danger. You are my family and am not going to risk you been hurt. Nikolas, you have little Miss Quartermaine to think about."
Nikolas interrupted him at that. " Now she's Mrs. Cassadine."
" You got hitched! Congratulations! Now, do you want the little lady to be preoccupied about you?" Seen his face he continued. " That's what I thought. And you Princess. You've postponed your life for 10 months. What about your hubby?" Elizabeth's expression changed instantly. Hate and disgust appeared out of nowhere. " I don't have a husband anymore."
" What about the slick lawyer? What was his name, Ric was it?"
" We are divorced. I don't have anything to come back to."
" What about Audrey? Is she aware of the risk you've been taking in the name of friendship?"
" No, she doesn't. But, I've been known to do craziest things than this."
" Am not going to let you."
" I already made my decision."
" She's stubborn. Isn't she? Almost as stubborn as you Cowboy. What about Lulu? Are you going to leave her alone? Am sure she misses you terribly."
" She misses you too."
" She needs her brothers. Both of them."
" She needs her parents. Both of them."
" Am not getting anywhere am I?"
All three of them shook their heads in unison saying no. And Luke dropped his head and covered his face with his hands. This was going to be more difficult than what he thought.
~ Helena's office~
Two days later, Helena was sitting behind her desk looking at the pictures spread all over it. "Well, well, well. What do we have here? The gang together again. This is going to be more fun than I first thought. Now am going to kill five birds with one shot." She picked up the phone, dialed and waited for the answer. "Yes, it's me. He is still alive. New Orleans. He's not alone. Lucky Spencer, Elizabeth Webber and my grandson Nikolas Cassadine are with him. I want them all eliminated. Yes, you heard right. All of them. Do it tomorrow. Call me when it's done."
She picked up a photo of Elizabeth, Lucky and Nikolas and traced their faces with her finger one by one. "My dear boy. You betrayed me three times, that's about how much am able to forgive someone I love. You chose to be friends with the enemy so you'll pay as one of them. And you little girl. You tricked me once, I won't give you a chance to do it twice. You're going to die as you should have years ago. And my little Spencer boy. You've always been my favorite. If instead of a Spencer you were to be a Cassadine you would have made me so proud. But you are not Cassadine and you choose to go against me way to many times. Is time you finally visit that grave you're family brought for you the first time you died." She opened a drawer and took Luke and Laura's weeding photo. "As for you two. I have bigger and better plans for you than mere death. This game is coming to and end soon and the White Queen shall play out checkmate."
~ Port Charles~
Jason was sitting on the Courtyard of Kelly's waiting for Emily to arrive from Spoon Island. He was deep in thought worried about what might've happen to Elizabeth and the others. Elizabeth... was that it? Was he only afraid of her well being? For the past two days he's been telling himself he was worried about all of them. After all Nikolas was his sister's husband and Luke was always a good friend to him. At least until Lucky's supposed dead. Lucky wasn't his favorite person in the world but he didn't want him hurt or dead. At least not now, back when he was programed by Helena, that was a different story. But Elizabeth... he couldn't be harmed. If something happened to Elizabeth he wouldn't forgive himself. He should've gone after her when she told him about the situation. She was running around with a gun in the small of her back which she always kept with the safety on, playing spy and still believing she could open closed doors with credit cards. He remembered that night right there, when she tried to open the locked door with his card. "I'm going to pick the lock... I watch Alias..." He tried but the credit card broke. "Oh! Am sorry I thought... oh, forget it!" He was smiling despite himself at the thought. She looked so confident at first and then when it didn't work she blushed, she looked so beautiful. When he realized what he was saying to himself he stopped himself. "Whoa, Morgan! Where did that came from?"
" Where did what came from?"
Carly's voice came from the door of Kelly's. she was coming out of the restaurant when she saw him. She stood there watching him for a while. His facial expression had changed in a matter of seconds. At first he looked worried about something. Then his face tighten as if something unsettling, something he wasn't aware of was brought to his attention. But then his faraway look soften and this look of comfort and ease overtook him. Something or someone was amusing to him. And a strange glint appeared on his eyes as if he were remembering a loved one. That was it. He was remembering Courtney. But then again, she never saw him look at Courtney like that. All of the sudden he got scared. Well not exactly scared but it was as if he was caught of guard by something. Now, he was looking at her 'Borg-like' , with his stone mask in place. She couldn't understand how mere seconds before his face was so full of feelings and now it was so blank. She realized she had too much to fix.
" Sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt. I was just coming out of Kelly's and you talked out loud. I thought you were talking to me. I guess old habits die hard. I'm going now." She dropped her head and started to walk away.
Jason felt like garbage as he saw her walk away. He knew he shouldn't be feeling that way, after all he wasn't the one who walked out. He was tossed out by her husband, his friend. But still he felt for her, she used to be his friend. The one person who knew how to use him for good and evil. The one woman he would let buy close for him to wear. His oldest friend, the one who had given him a child, a place in her heart and a family. He had promised thousand of times he wouldn't fail her and that he would protect her from everyone. He knew he had broke her heart, he was the one who she needed to be protected from. Jason felt like he had betrayed her somehow. So he talked.
" Why are you still here?"
She heard him and almost cried. He had spoken to her on his own. She turned and he could see her surprise in her eyes.
" What did you say?"
" I asked. Why are you still in Port Charles?"
" I told you I would stay until I fix this. I wasn't laying. I want us to be friends again. I need to do this."
" For Sonny?" It was more of a statement than a question. She shook her head no. " For you. For us. This is not about him, at least not entirely. This is for our friendship. We three... we were like the musketeers or something. In a way, I got married to both of you. I didn't lose you when Robin left, or when I took Michael and went to the Q's, or when I wore the wire on Sonny or any other time I messed up. I don't want to lose you now."
" This is different."
When Carly was going to answer Emily walked towards them and stood next to Jason putting her hand on his shoulder.
" Are you ok?"
" Yes."
" Hello, Emily. How's everything?" Carly was as polite as she could, knowing that Emily had interrupted her when she was finally making progress on Jason. Was that progress? Who cares? At least he was talking.
" Everything is good Carly. But if you'll excuse us I have to talk to Jason. Alone."
" We were talking about something important."
" This is really, really important."
" Ok." Carly said pissed of. "Jason, can we talk another time?"
" Am kind of busy right now. But if you meant what you said, we might run into each other."
" I meant it. I'll see you around. Emily, nice to see you're doing ok." Carly walked away with her head held up high.
" What was all that about?"
" She wants to fix things."
" You mean with you and Sonny?"
" She says between me and her."
" You know she's laying, don't you? She just wants you to go back to being Sonny's lapdog."
~ New Orleans~
" We have to go to Boston."
" We?" Elizabeth said half surprised half exited.
" Don't make me say it again, Princess. I still think you all should just go home, but if you're going to follow me anyway, we have to do this right the first time."
" The Cassadine jet is ready to go wherever we have to."
" No. We can't use the jet. Helena knows that one. We have to go incognito."
" Incognito?" Lucky said coming into the room. " Where are we going incognito?"
" Boston."
" What's in Boston?"
" Our next clue."
" Well. Boston it is. What do we need?"
" Fake ID's, a drive to the airport and money for the tickets."
" ID's done. Lewis said he'll send a ride for us when we are ready to leave. And money..."
" I can take care of that."
" Well then, let's finish this plan and get this show on he road."
~ Port Charles~
Emily sat down and waited for Jason's answer. When he didn't speak she continued.
" Am sorry, Jason. I didn't mean it like that. It's just am pissed at Carly and Sonny for what they did to you and am not going to sugar coat it. I know you love them, they are your family."
" Were." He said dryly. " The point is that they hurt you. I don't know all of the details and I don't need them to see how much pain they caused you."
" Am ok. Now, what did you find out? Where are they? Is..." Realizing what he was about to ask he trailed of praying his sister didn't caught his desperation to know how she was.
Emily looked at him waiting for him to finish his question but he kept quiet. She answered letting it go. " Nikolas called me. Didn't say where they were, but they are ok. She's ok. All of them are."
Relief washed over his features and he let out a sigh. " Ok. So what are they going to do? They are coming home aren't they?"
" Not yet. They got a lead and the three of them are going to help Luke."
" Nikolas is staying?"
" Yeah. Just until things settle down. Nikolas said things are getting tricky. Luke wants them gone, but Lucky ain't having it. And Liz is just stuck in the middle. Nikolas feels responsible for them being there and doesn't want to leave now that they think Helena knows they are all working together and that she tried to kill Luke twice in twenty-four hours."
" They are in danger. Did you tell him I wanted to help? Maybe if I go, Elizabeth can come back home where is safe."
" You're really worried about her aren't you?"
" She's in way too deep." Looking eyes with his sister he tried to explain. "They all are. And I just..."
" You don't want her to get hurt. I understand. Neither do I, but she's not alone. Those boys love her like a sister, they won't let her get hurt. And Luke is like a father to her. If things get out of hand they'll send her home. Besides she's a grown woman, she can make her own decisions. I have it on good authority that you yourself thought her how to do that. "
" But sometimes she lacks common sense. She lets her feelings cloud her judgment."
" Look, right now they're fine. We'll just have to trust them." It was then that Jason could see her eyes full of fear.
" I know this most be really difficult for you Em. How are you holding on?"
" He's being gone for three days and I miss him like crazy. Being alone at night in Wyndermere is awful. I actually have to sleep with the lights on. That place is eerie. I think I might go stay at the mansion for a while."
" That's best, just in case. I have to go. Let me know if you hear anything else."
" Will do, big brother. See you later."
" You too honey. Take care." He stood up and walked away as she stared at his retrieving form.
~ New Orleans Airport~
Later that night the Featherhead family made their way through the parking lot at the airport. The tall redhead father and the three kids were your regular tourists. All wearing matching orange t-shirts with their names at the back, all lined by height and age. The oldest Federico Featherhead, the middle son Narcissus Featherhead and the younger sibling Delilah Featherhead; all of them followed by Porticos Featherhead, the father. As they made their way towards sliding doors a group of four men dressed in black suits followed them closely. The family stopped for a minute while they adjusted their watches and prepared their tickets and never imagined what was going to happen next. The whole area was nearly deserted only a couple of flight attendants were sitting in a bench 10 feet away and a couple was making out next to the pay phones. They were talking amongst themselves and the girl stood up in front of the father blocking his view as the four men made their way towards them. By this time the men had their arms out and were pointing them at the family. Luke was the first one to look up and as soon as he did he threw Elizabeth to the floor. Lucky pulled his gun out immediately and the men started to shoot. Elizabeth wasn't aware of what was happening until she heard the gunshots. Nikolas took Elizabeth's gun out of the small of her back and started to fire at the other men. Luke took out one of the men and Lucky hit other one. Once Nikolas was about to shoot Luke yelled at him.
" No! Nikolas take Elizabeth inside!"
" What? No what about you? The police is going to be here soon."
" We're going to be ok. Lucky come here stand next to me lets cover them."
Lucky did as his father asked. " Ok. Now you guys. GO!"
" Go back to Port Charles! We'll call you as soon as we can." Those were the last words the heard from Luke as the sliding doors closed and the police cars started to pour in from everywhere.
~ New Orleans~
Tire of hearing his brother and friend trying to defend their actions Lucky stood up and almost yelled.
" That's enough! I can't believe you. We just saved your butt out there and the only thing you have to say is how stupid we are? Let me tell you something. We just lost 10 months of our lives trying to find you, worrying and busting our butts so we could get a hold of what was going on. I'm not going to stand here and listen at what you have to say, if you don't have a nice thing to say just shut the hell up. We are here and we are in it, like it or not. The woman you're looking for is my mother and am not going home without her. And without you either. Have something to say about that?"
" Am sorry."
" You don't have to be, Luke." Elizabeth looked at him.
" Oh, no babe. Don't get me wrong am not sorry for what I said or what I've done. I know all of you have invested your time and effort in this search, but this doesn't concern you. This is my battle not yours. I'm going to find Laura and am going to get rid of Helena once and for all. But am going to do it alone. So you all go on home and stop playing spy."
" Like hell we will!" Lucky was dead serious. " I already told you am staying. This is my mother we are talking about. Am not going anywhere."
" Am staying too. I let you down Luke. You trusted me and I blew it, but she's my mother too. Am not going anywhere."
" Are you kids deaf or just plain stupid. I'm not going to put any of you in danger. You are my family and am not going to risk you been hurt. Nikolas, you have little Miss Quartermaine to think about."
Nikolas interrupted him at that. " Now she's Mrs. Cassadine."
" You got hitched! Congratulations! Now, do you want the little lady to be preoccupied about you?" Seen his face he continued. " That's what I thought. And you Princess. You've postponed your life for 10 months. What about your hubby?" Elizabeth's expression changed instantly. Hate and disgust appeared out of nowhere. " I don't have a husband anymore."
" What about the slick lawyer? What was his name, Ric was it?"
" We are divorced. I don't have anything to come back to."
" What about Audrey? Is she aware of the risk you've been taking in the name of friendship?"
" No, she doesn't. But, I've been known to do craziest things than this."
" Am not going to let you."
" I already made my decision."
" She's stubborn. Isn't she? Almost as stubborn as you Cowboy. What about Lulu? Are you going to leave her alone? Am sure she misses you terribly."
" She misses you too."
" She needs her brothers. Both of them."
" She needs her parents. Both of them."
" Am not getting anywhere am I?"
All three of them shook their heads in unison saying no. And Luke dropped his head and covered his face with his hands. This was going to be more difficult than what he thought.
~ Helena's office~
Two days later, Helena was sitting behind her desk looking at the pictures spread all over it. "Well, well, well. What do we have here? The gang together again. This is going to be more fun than I first thought. Now am going to kill five birds with one shot." She picked up the phone, dialed and waited for the answer. "Yes, it's me. He is still alive. New Orleans. He's not alone. Lucky Spencer, Elizabeth Webber and my grandson Nikolas Cassadine are with him. I want them all eliminated. Yes, you heard right. All of them. Do it tomorrow. Call me when it's done."
She picked up a photo of Elizabeth, Lucky and Nikolas and traced their faces with her finger one by one. "My dear boy. You betrayed me three times, that's about how much am able to forgive someone I love. You chose to be friends with the enemy so you'll pay as one of them. And you little girl. You tricked me once, I won't give you a chance to do it twice. You're going to die as you should have years ago. And my little Spencer boy. You've always been my favorite. If instead of a Spencer you were to be a Cassadine you would have made me so proud. But you are not Cassadine and you choose to go against me way to many times. Is time you finally visit that grave you're family brought for you the first time you died." She opened a drawer and took Luke and Laura's weeding photo. "As for you two. I have bigger and better plans for you than mere death. This game is coming to and end soon and the White Queen shall play out checkmate."
~ Port Charles~
Jason was sitting on the Courtyard of Kelly's waiting for Emily to arrive from Spoon Island. He was deep in thought worried about what might've happen to Elizabeth and the others. Elizabeth... was that it? Was he only afraid of her well being? For the past two days he's been telling himself he was worried about all of them. After all Nikolas was his sister's husband and Luke was always a good friend to him. At least until Lucky's supposed dead. Lucky wasn't his favorite person in the world but he didn't want him hurt or dead. At least not now, back when he was programed by Helena, that was a different story. But Elizabeth... he couldn't be harmed. If something happened to Elizabeth he wouldn't forgive himself. He should've gone after her when she told him about the situation. She was running around with a gun in the small of her back which she always kept with the safety on, playing spy and still believing she could open closed doors with credit cards. He remembered that night right there, when she tried to open the locked door with his card. "I'm going to pick the lock... I watch Alias..." He tried but the credit card broke. "Oh! Am sorry I thought... oh, forget it!" He was smiling despite himself at the thought. She looked so confident at first and then when it didn't work she blushed, she looked so beautiful. When he realized what he was saying to himself he stopped himself. "Whoa, Morgan! Where did that came from?"
" Where did what came from?"
Carly's voice came from the door of Kelly's. she was coming out of the restaurant when she saw him. She stood there watching him for a while. His facial expression had changed in a matter of seconds. At first he looked worried about something. Then his face tighten as if something unsettling, something he wasn't aware of was brought to his attention. But then his faraway look soften and this look of comfort and ease overtook him. Something or someone was amusing to him. And a strange glint appeared on his eyes as if he were remembering a loved one. That was it. He was remembering Courtney. But then again, she never saw him look at Courtney like that. All of the sudden he got scared. Well not exactly scared but it was as if he was caught of guard by something. Now, he was looking at her 'Borg-like' , with his stone mask in place. She couldn't understand how mere seconds before his face was so full of feelings and now it was so blank. She realized she had too much to fix.
" Sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt. I was just coming out of Kelly's and you talked out loud. I thought you were talking to me. I guess old habits die hard. I'm going now." She dropped her head and started to walk away.
Jason felt like garbage as he saw her walk away. He knew he shouldn't be feeling that way, after all he wasn't the one who walked out. He was tossed out by her husband, his friend. But still he felt for her, she used to be his friend. The one person who knew how to use him for good and evil. The one woman he would let buy close for him to wear. His oldest friend, the one who had given him a child, a place in her heart and a family. He had promised thousand of times he wouldn't fail her and that he would protect her from everyone. He knew he had broke her heart, he was the one who she needed to be protected from. Jason felt like he had betrayed her somehow. So he talked.
" Why are you still here?"
She heard him and almost cried. He had spoken to her on his own. She turned and he could see her surprise in her eyes.
" What did you say?"
" I asked. Why are you still in Port Charles?"
" I told you I would stay until I fix this. I wasn't laying. I want us to be friends again. I need to do this."
" For Sonny?" It was more of a statement than a question. She shook her head no. " For you. For us. This is not about him, at least not entirely. This is for our friendship. We three... we were like the musketeers or something. In a way, I got married to both of you. I didn't lose you when Robin left, or when I took Michael and went to the Q's, or when I wore the wire on Sonny or any other time I messed up. I don't want to lose you now."
" This is different."
When Carly was going to answer Emily walked towards them and stood next to Jason putting her hand on his shoulder.
" Are you ok?"
" Yes."
" Hello, Emily. How's everything?" Carly was as polite as she could, knowing that Emily had interrupted her when she was finally making progress on Jason. Was that progress? Who cares? At least he was talking.
" Everything is good Carly. But if you'll excuse us I have to talk to Jason. Alone."
" We were talking about something important."
" This is really, really important."
" Ok." Carly said pissed of. "Jason, can we talk another time?"
" Am kind of busy right now. But if you meant what you said, we might run into each other."
" I meant it. I'll see you around. Emily, nice to see you're doing ok." Carly walked away with her head held up high.
" What was all that about?"
" She wants to fix things."
" You mean with you and Sonny?"
" She says between me and her."
" You know she's laying, don't you? She just wants you to go back to being Sonny's lapdog."
~ New Orleans~
" We have to go to Boston."
" We?" Elizabeth said half surprised half exited.
" Don't make me say it again, Princess. I still think you all should just go home, but if you're going to follow me anyway, we have to do this right the first time."
" The Cassadine jet is ready to go wherever we have to."
" No. We can't use the jet. Helena knows that one. We have to go incognito."
" Incognito?" Lucky said coming into the room. " Where are we going incognito?"
" Boston."
" What's in Boston?"
" Our next clue."
" Well. Boston it is. What do we need?"
" Fake ID's, a drive to the airport and money for the tickets."
" ID's done. Lewis said he'll send a ride for us when we are ready to leave. And money..."
" I can take care of that."
" Well then, let's finish this plan and get this show on he road."
~ Port Charles~
Emily sat down and waited for Jason's answer. When he didn't speak she continued.
" Am sorry, Jason. I didn't mean it like that. It's just am pissed at Carly and Sonny for what they did to you and am not going to sugar coat it. I know you love them, they are your family."
" Were." He said dryly. " The point is that they hurt you. I don't know all of the details and I don't need them to see how much pain they caused you."
" Am ok. Now, what did you find out? Where are they? Is..." Realizing what he was about to ask he trailed of praying his sister didn't caught his desperation to know how she was.
Emily looked at him waiting for him to finish his question but he kept quiet. She answered letting it go. " Nikolas called me. Didn't say where they were, but they are ok. She's ok. All of them are."
Relief washed over his features and he let out a sigh. " Ok. So what are they going to do? They are coming home aren't they?"
" Not yet. They got a lead and the three of them are going to help Luke."
" Nikolas is staying?"
" Yeah. Just until things settle down. Nikolas said things are getting tricky. Luke wants them gone, but Lucky ain't having it. And Liz is just stuck in the middle. Nikolas feels responsible for them being there and doesn't want to leave now that they think Helena knows they are all working together and that she tried to kill Luke twice in twenty-four hours."
" They are in danger. Did you tell him I wanted to help? Maybe if I go, Elizabeth can come back home where is safe."
" You're really worried about her aren't you?"
" She's in way too deep." Looking eyes with his sister he tried to explain. "They all are. And I just..."
" You don't want her to get hurt. I understand. Neither do I, but she's not alone. Those boys love her like a sister, they won't let her get hurt. And Luke is like a father to her. If things get out of hand they'll send her home. Besides she's a grown woman, she can make her own decisions. I have it on good authority that you yourself thought her how to do that. "
" But sometimes she lacks common sense. She lets her feelings cloud her judgment."
" Look, right now they're fine. We'll just have to trust them." It was then that Jason could see her eyes full of fear.
" I know this most be really difficult for you Em. How are you holding on?"
" He's being gone for three days and I miss him like crazy. Being alone at night in Wyndermere is awful. I actually have to sleep with the lights on. That place is eerie. I think I might go stay at the mansion for a while."
" That's best, just in case. I have to go. Let me know if you hear anything else."
" Will do, big brother. See you later."
" You too honey. Take care." He stood up and walked away as she stared at his retrieving form.
~ New Orleans Airport~
Later that night the Featherhead family made their way through the parking lot at the airport. The tall redhead father and the three kids were your regular tourists. All wearing matching orange t-shirts with their names at the back, all lined by height and age. The oldest Federico Featherhead, the middle son Narcissus Featherhead and the younger sibling Delilah Featherhead; all of them followed by Porticos Featherhead, the father. As they made their way towards sliding doors a group of four men dressed in black suits followed them closely. The family stopped for a minute while they adjusted their watches and prepared their tickets and never imagined what was going to happen next. The whole area was nearly deserted only a couple of flight attendants were sitting in a bench 10 feet away and a couple was making out next to the pay phones. They were talking amongst themselves and the girl stood up in front of the father blocking his view as the four men made their way towards them. By this time the men had their arms out and were pointing them at the family. Luke was the first one to look up and as soon as he did he threw Elizabeth to the floor. Lucky pulled his gun out immediately and the men started to shoot. Elizabeth wasn't aware of what was happening until she heard the gunshots. Nikolas took Elizabeth's gun out of the small of her back and started to fire at the other men. Luke took out one of the men and Lucky hit other one. Once Nikolas was about to shoot Luke yelled at him.
" No! Nikolas take Elizabeth inside!"
" What? No what about you? The police is going to be here soon."
" We're going to be ok. Lucky come here stand next to me lets cover them."
Lucky did as his father asked. " Ok. Now you guys. GO!"
" Go back to Port Charles! We'll call you as soon as we can." Those were the last words the heard from Luke as the sliding doors closed and the police cars started to pour in from everywhere.