Chapter 20: Unexpected

Port Charles Cemetery

He was late, and Carly was worried. Francis was always on time and the fact that he hadn't showed up meant something more important was keeping him. She stood next to the gates and looked back and forward to find the same four cars on the street and the same three people talking on the other side of the street. She shivered a bit when a cold breeze tickled her frame. Damn, it was cold.

Sonny was still watching Carly from the back of his limo. After Jason left she had walked inside the graveyard and stayed at Courtney's resting place for an hour. After a long visit she walked back out and had being waiting for 20 minutes at the gates. Who was she waiting for? Was Jason picking her up? He looked back at the woman he loved more than life itself and couldn't help but frown. He knew, somehow during all those years he always knew that the one Carly really wanted was Jason. He tried to convince himself that she had fallen in love with him, but he was only kidding himself. Sonny Corinthos was nothing more than a replacement of the love that Carly could never conquer.

Francis made his way down the street at a frantic pace. He was late and he knew that Carly was going to be mad. She hated when people make her wait. He spotted her standing in front of the gates of Port Charles Cemetery and let out a soft sigh. This was bad, he knew it was wrong but he couldn't help but think of how beautiful Carly Corinthos really was. She was wearing white dress pants and suit and a knee length white coat over it, her black boots made her at least four inches taller and her hair was pulled back on a ponytail. This was really bad, he thought as he shook his head and crossed the street to where she was standing.

"Francis." Carly saw the bodyguard before he crossed the street.

"Sorry I'm late Mrs. C." He walked toward her with a smile on his face. But as soon as he was close enough Carly wrapped her arms around his neck and the smile on his face disappeared.

"I'm so glad you're okay. I thought something bad happened to you."

When she stepped back, Francis tried to form a coherent thought. A deep red blush was settling on his cheeks and his voice was nowhere to be found. "I- I'm sorry. I was just… taking care of something."

"Well next time have the decency to call saying you'll be late. I have enough to worry about as it is and I don't need to be worrying about you too."

"You don't have to worry about me, Mrs. C."

"Like hell I don't. You are my friend Francis and about that, I think we're passed the pleasantries here."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that you can call me Carly."

"Oh no, I can't Mrs. C."

"Yes you can. Repeat after me, 'Hello Carly'."

"I don't think…"

"Say it."

"Hello Carly."

She smiled and wrapped her arm around his. With a small tug she started walking. "Well hello Francis, nice of you to join me. We're a bit late, but I'm sure we'll find a nice place to have lunch. Come on."

Sonny watched as one of his most trustworthy men walked with his wife in an intimate way. Something was definitely wrong. He had been sure that Carly was betraying him with Jason, but after the scene he just witnessed he wasn't that sure anymore.

Safe House

Emily and Nikolas had drifted of to sleep after two rounds of passionate love making, when the phone rang. Nikolas stirred on his sleep but made no move to wake up, instead he tighten his grip on Emily. She was laying half over him, one arm over his heart and her head on his chest. She was awake and trying to ignore the ring but when the telephone kept ringing desperately she felt a slight tug on her chest. Emily moved to the side and reached to answer the phone when it stopped. Nikolas opened her eyes and found a very worried look on his wife's face.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't know, the phone stopped ringing before I could answer."

"Come here. Let's go back to sleep."

"No. What if it was important? What if something happened?"

"If something is wrong they'll call again."

"But…"

He reached a hand to the back of her neck and tugged her down to give her a scorching passionate kiss.

Jason's Garage

When the door to the garage opened and the wind blew inside carrying snowflakes inside it seemed like a scene from a movie. The light caught on the flakes reflected different color and the mood of the day changed to a more romantic feel. Maybe it was the music playing in the background, but the truth was that Calvin felt a strange peace at the sight in front of him. But what happened afterwards took him by surprise. Jason was standing on the doorway cradling a small body in his arms. Calvin's eyes adjusted at the light and once Jason walked a couple of feet inside he could make out clearly who it was. Elizabeth Webber.

Time seemed to run in slow motion as Calvin dropped the screwdriver he was holding and ran to where Jason was standing.

"What happened? Is she…?" He wasn't capable of uttering the words at the sight of desperation on Jason's face.

"Call Francis and tell him to bring Doc Wilson immediately."

"Okay."

The young man ran to the office and dialed the familiar number, while Jason walked upstairs and laid Elizabeth's lifeless body on his bed. His hands where shaking as he unbuttoned the once white coat, now red because of the blood. The bullet had gone in through her left shoulder. Once he could actually move he had used her light blue scarf to stop the bleeding. Now Jason undid the knot and peeled the soaking scarf from the injury. At least it had stopped bleeding. He moved to the night table and took a pair of scissors from the drawer and cut the sleeve of her sweater revealing the wound. He lifted her slightly and inspected the back. It had gone in and out and it seemed to be a clean shot. He laid her back down checked for a pulse. It was weak and her breathing was even.

Tears where running down Jason's face when Calvin made his way upstairs with a first aid kit. He stopped on the landing before approaching the bed. The image before him made his heart ache. Jason was brushing Elizabeth's hair and talking to her in a murmur. He could barely make out a couple of words. He was telling her about the wind, his bike and a piece of red glass. He clearly made out something about the light in Italy too. Jason was visibly shaken so he dropped the kit on the floor and walked back down. He didn't want to intrude in a moment that was obviously personal.

"Don't you dare die on me Webber." Jason's words were more of a plea than an order. "You can't bail on me. We promised, remember? No bailing. Come on beautiful, open those bright blue eyes for me. I can't lose you. Come on sweetheart, wake up."

No Name

Francis and Carly were sitting on a table for two. The guard was amazed at the change in Carly's attitude. She was smiling joking and talking about ten different things at the same time. She was happy, well as happy as one can be without her husband and children.

"Hello, is someone there?" Carly waved a hand in front of his face. "You okay? Seem out of it."

"I was just thinking."

"What about?"

"You and how happy you look. You did it Carly, you got Jason back. But now what? What about Sonny?"

Her smile faltered on her lips and slowly disappeared. "What a way to bring a girl down."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to pry. But he's a reality that you'll have to face sooner or later."

"Yeah well, I'll rather it be later."

The shrill of the cell phone stopped the conversation. Francis excused himself and walked to the reception so he could talk privately.

Carly watched the guard go and could help but check out his tight muscles under the black suit. She shook her head and smiled at herself. Now she was checking out Francis. God she needed to get laid. When she lifted her cup and took a sip of her red wine a deep male voice made her choke.

"Enjoying your self honey?"

Carly's eyes widen and she dropped the glass and turned to find him there. Their eyes locked on each other. Sadness filled her eyes as she took in his appearance. He wasn't the man she had fallen in love with, he was a shadow of the father of her kids. His wavy hair was longer and white adorned each side of his head. His eyes where void of emotion and that luster that happiness brings was no longer there, deep black circles surrounded them. His deep frown did nothing to show the beautiful dimples on his cheeks and his lips where etched on a thing line instead of the bright smile he used to wear. The long black overcoat hid his squared shoulders and posture, but she could see he was a bit hunched, the weight of his actions pressing down on his shoulders. Carly stood up and took a step toward him.

"Sonny, what are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing, but I already know the answer."

"What do you mean? I'm here with…"

At that the bodyguard came almost running to where he had left Carly. Without noticing the new arrival, Francis spoke.

"Carly I'm so sorry. I have to cut this short. Something really bad happened and Jason…"

When he saw Carly's face and looked passed her he stopped talking.

"Francis, what happened? Is it Jason?"

"Sonny, I didn't know you were in town. How are you doing?" Extending a hand to his boss Francis stood closer, but Sonny only looked at him and shook his head. Carly stepped forward and took Francis hand between hers.

"What happened?"

"It's Elizabeth. She was shot. I need to take Doc Wilson to Jason's Garage immediately."

"God not again. I'm coming with you."

Francis looked at Carly surprised by her offer and then at Sonny was still frowning at him. Shaking his head he answered at Carly. "No. I think you should stay here and talk to Sonny. You need to work things out."

"Look, Jason needs me right now. I'm going with you, end of discussion."

"But…"

"No buts. I said I'm going. We don't have time to discuss this." She turned to Sonny then. "You know where I'm staying. Call me tomorrow, we'll talk then." Grabbing her coat and purse Carly tug on Francis arm and started walking out of the restaurant.

As he watched his wife walk away Sonny knew that things where well beyond repair. His marriage was finished and so was he.

Jason's Garage

Francis, Carly and Doc Wilson walked into the garage to find the place eerily silent and dark. As soon as they walked on the door Calvin jumped out of the shadows.

"Thank God you're here. He hasn't left her side and I didn't know what to do."

"Where are they?"

"Upstairs."

"Okay." The doctor ran across the wide space and up the stairs immediately.

"Calvin, we need to talk. You need to tell me what happened. Did Jason say something? Where was she? Wasn't she supposed to stay here?"

"This is my fault. I'm so stupid. Jason asked me to look out for her and I didn't and now she's dying and it's all my fault."

"Calm down. You need to breathe. Let's go to Jason's office and talk. Come on."

Helena's office

She was sitting on her black leather chair a contrast to her blood red suit and alabaster skin, her smile was one of triumph as she listened to the news her first in command was narrating.

"I left her lying in the snow in the middle of the woods."

"Good, that little saccharine girl has been a thorn on my side ever since she started meddling in my plans with Lucky Spencer. One down and six to go."

"The surveillance tapes at Wyndemere have been inactive for the past two weeks. Do you want a couple of our men to go check it out?"

"No. I knew that my dear Nikolas and his dear wife would flee as soon as the Webber girl told them about the tail. We need to find a link, someone that has the resources to help them vanish from sight."

"We've being following your grandson's wife and the only person she's been meeting is a mechanic. A man that owns a motorcycle repair shop on Sullivan's Street, one Jason Morgan."

"Hum. That could be the lead we needed to round up our strategic little game. Find everything you can on both Jason Morgan and Sony Corinthos. And also, begin face two of Lucky's end."

"We'll do as you wish, Madam."

Boston Clinic, parking lot

Luke has been following the woman until she got to the underground parking lot. Somewhere along the way she had step out of sight and that was not good. The sound of a car making its way out of the garage took his attention back to the surrounding area. The red Saturn came down the street at moderate speed but as it was about to turn on the curb the woman dressed in black came running from the other side. Luke stood up and moved to grab her before the car could run her down. The driver was able to hit the brake before he could hit them both and Luke was able to roll them off the street.

He ended up on top of the woman, successfully pinning her down. Her blond hair was a mess on her face and she was fighting him hard until Luke grabbed her arms and pinned them over her head.

"Laura? Is that you?" He took both of her wrists on one hand and with the other he smoothed the hair out of the woman's face. The woman looked him directly on the eyes and he blinked back a couple of times. What was she doing there? How could this be? Was she even real? All of the questions started to form on his mind as he took in the emerald green eyes that were looking back at him. "What is this? How? Is it really you?"

"Yes, Luke. It's me. I'm alive."