If Tomorrow Never Comes

Chapter 14

Emily plowed her way through the crowd of shoppers. She'd been sitting in her room for the past few days trying to keep from thinking about Zander. It hadn't worked very well so taking action she'd written up her Christmas list and headed for the mall. It was close to the last week of November and she wanted get it done before Thanksgiving. That was only 7 days away. She looked down at her list and decided she'd shopped enough for today. Looking down at her bag she contemplated using Michael's gift as an excuse to go see Carly at the PH. And Zander.

"Well, honey, what has got you so out of it?"

Emily jumped, turning to look at Gia. She smiled happily, running up to the other girl and embracing her warmly. "Hey, G."

Gia felt a rush of happiness at the endearment. She was glad that her initial perception of Emily had been off. The girl was the sweetest thing in the world. She felt another pang of guilt like she always did whenever she remembered the events that led to where they were.

Emily caught the look on Gia's face and stopped in front of her. Taking her hands, she looked straight into her eyes and said, "Don't feel bad, Gia. You made a mistake. We all let it go. You should too."

"Em, I'm really-"

"Nope. No apology necessary."

"But-"

Emily put her hands on her hips, imitating Gia. "What'd I say?"

Gia laughed as she took in Emily's pose. "Very funny. Okay. I give up."

"Good. Now what brings you to my mall, Miss Campbell."

"Just picking up some essentials." Gia replied, holding up her bags from Ultra 3. "You?" Gia looked at Emily's arms, loaded down with bags. "My God, you buying out the whole damn place Em?"

"I'm doing a little Christmas shopping is all."

"Christmas shopping in the middle of November?"

Emily paused, looking at Gia with a sly grin. "Gotta beat the rush."

"Oh no. You're one of those."

"One of what?"

"Christmas Nazi."

"What?" Emily watched Gia flush. "What the hell is that?"

"You know, one of those people who live and breath for Christmas."

"That would be Carly."

Gia and Emily continued to walk down the mall, pausing to sit on a bench close to the courtyard. "Carly's a Nazi?"

"That would explain a lot." Emily and Gia tensed hearing Liz's voice from behind them. "Well, isn't this a cozy scene."

Emily took a deep breath, intent on being polite. "Liz. How are you?"

"Fine. I would ask how you are but seeing as Gia is with you I'd take a guess not too good."

Gia stood up, the urge to slug the little bitch almost too much to bear. Ignoring Liz, she leaned down and gave Emily a quick peck. "I'll call you later, hon." She eyed the bag from Baby Gap and smiled slyly. "Say hi to Zander for me." Gia winked at her and was gone without so much as a glance in Liz's direction.

Emily stood turning to Liz she lowered her voice as not to draw any attention. "Listen to me and listen good, Elizabeth. If you ever insult Carly, Gia or anyone I love again I will make you very sorry."

Liz looked taken aback for a second. "Why do you care, Emily? You hate Carly as much as I do."

Emily stared at the complete stranger in front of her. "Carly is my friend. She's proven to me what's really under the attitude she gives out. She's backed me up and put herself at risk to help me so I owe her more than I can ever repay. If you bothered to look beyond your lust for my brother you could see that."

"Are you choosing Carly over me, Em?"

"Didn't know I had to but yes. I am."

"She turned you against me didn't she?"

"No, Liz. You did that on your own."

Emily picked up her bags, turning to walk away from Liz.

"You know what, fine. I'll make that bitch pay."

Emily footsteps stopped and she whirled to look at Liz. Putting her bags down she calmly walked back.

"Is that a threat, Liz?"

Liz stared at the other girl, all the jealousy and bitterness she'd always managed to keep hidden rushing to the surface. " If it was, who the hell do you think you are to stop me?"

Emily's face tensed, her eyes going dark as she stepped up to Liz. She looked in her ex-best friend's eyes and smiled stiffly. "Don't forget who my family is, Liz. I may not be a blood Quatermaine but I've picked up a few things from them so don't even doubt that I'll do whatever it takes to protect my family and so will Sonny." Liz's eyes widened, Emily's threat becoming clear. "You got it. Sonny's my friend and family. He loves Jason. Jason loves me. If anything happens to anyone I love I'll make sure Sonny looks to you." With that Emily picked her bags and walked to her waiting car leaving a seething Elizabeth behind. She needed to see Sonny ASAP.

Lucky let the sound of the lapping waves and the salty smell soothe his mind. He watched the lights dance off the reflections of the water. He closed his eyes hoping to soak in the peace surrounding him. An assault of bloody images flashed in his eyes and he caught a brief glimpse of Carly's face. His eyes snapped open, feeling off balanced by the experience.

"Cowboy?"

Lucky heard Luke and steadied himself before turning to greet him. "Hey, Dad."

Luke was watching him carefully. He'd seen Lucky's horrified expression before he'd hidden it from Luke. Something was wrong. "Hey. Are you alright?"

"Fine, Dad."

He heard the annoyance in Lucky's voice and for once decided to listen to his better judgment and back off a little. "Okay." He'd find out what was going on later. He came to stand next to Lucky, the two watching the lights and ships in a companiable silence they hadn't had in a long time.

"So, how's Mom?" Lucky asked. He knew that his parents had been spotted together a few times in the last week and he was curious.

"Laura's doing good. You should go see her soon."

"I will. You've been spending time with Lulu?"

Luke paused before answering. He knew Lucky was fishing for something. "Yeah. She got back from North Carolina with Lesley a few days ago."

"I should go see her."

"Why don't we pass by tonight?"

Lucky held back a smile. So the old man was looking for excuses to see Laura. He stole a quick glance at Luke's calm façade. "Maybe. Where you coming from?"

"Sonny and Carly's." Luke got a strange look on his face causing Lucky to laugh out loud and say, " Sounds weird, doesn't it?"

"Yeah. I never thought I'd be anywhere near Sonny's…anything after what happened."

"Dad, it wasn't his fault and you know that."

"I know." Luke admitted, avoiding eye contact with Lucky. "He tried to help but… I blamed him. That was wrong."

Lucky felt his father's shame and he reached out to him, placing his hand on Luke's shoulder. "Dad, you couldn't have known." Luke wished he could believe that. That if maybe he'd looked beyond Sonny he would have figured it out. He would have found his son sooner and he would have kept his friend. "You can make it right now." Luke turned to Lucky and placed his arm around his son. " Let's make that visit."

He watched as the two men walked off the pier together. He cursed, putting his gun back into his holster. Damn it. Luke had shown up at the last moment. Lucky was a liability he couldn't afford. If what his "boss" said was true the kid could know too much. He turned and caught sight of Sonny and Johnny coming his way. He slithered further into the shadows and watched them walk towards the warehouse. He contemplated following them but realized he had too much to do.

"Have you lost your mind, Sonny?" Johnny glanced around the docks as Sonny opened the door to the warehouse. They made their way to Sonny's office where Benny was already waiting for them. "Benny, talk him out of this."

"Believe me, Johnny, I already tried."

"He's going to get himself killed!"

Benny looked up from his paperwork. "Since when has he ever listened to a word I say?"

"Excuse me."

Johnny and Benny looked at Sonny who was standing with his arms crossed, an annoyed expression on his face. "You two stop talking like I'm not here. Benny, I hear what you're saying, especially since you never stop talking. Look, let's just have the meeting somewhere neutral. We'll keep it brief and that should do it."

Johnny shook his head, one hand running roughly through his hair. "Sonny. Sorel could be setting us up for something big. If you insist on doing this then let me come."

"No way." Sonny stopped Johnny's protests with a hand. "I need you with my family, Johnny. Look, I'll take Luke with me, okay?"

Benny nodded his agreement. That suited him fine. Sonny confronted Johnny who hadn't said anything. "Johnny. This isn't a request." The two friends stared at each other, neither willing to give in. Benny and Johnny's cell phones rang. They glanced at each other and Benny headed to the far corner to answer his.

"This is Johnny. Emily? How did you… he's right here with me, why? What? Okay, okay. Emily, stay calm. We'll take care of it. No, Emily you stay put." Johnny closed his cell phone with a snap, closing his eyes and praying for strength. "Sonny?"

Sonny had watched the scene quietly, his mind running with a million possibilities. Carly had gotten hurt. That was why Johnny looked so freaked out. Maybe Mike and Zander were in trouble. He knew it wouldn't last. Swallowing past the lump of fear lodged in his throat he asked. "What happened?"

"Carly and Zander have been arrested."

"This isn't happening to us." Carly paced the length of her cell, glancing at the bars with disgust. She never admitted it but she wasn't too fond of tight spaces herself. They reminded her of her room at Ferncliff. Carly shuddered at the memories that conjured but forced them out of her mind. She needed her head on straight so she could get them out of the situation. She hadn't been allowed to call anyone yet and she knew her rights. She ran up to the bars banging on them. "Hello? Excuse me, anyone out there?" She stopped when she heard footsteps approaching.

Taggert came into view and she held back a groan. Great. "I want my phone call, Taggert."

Taggert smiled at her smugly, his eyes roaming her up and down. Carly felt a moment of discomfort. Glancing around the holding cells, she realized they were alone. No fear, Caroline. "Is there a specific reason I'm being denied my rights, lieutenant?" She came to stand by the cell door, her eyes looking straight into his.

"Exactly who would you call, Ms Benson? Your mobster husband? One of his cronies?"

"First, that's Mrs. Corinthos to you. Second, who I call is none of your business and third, if I don't get my phone call I can assure you my attorney will get a kick out of taking your badge." She was willing to stare Taggert down until he opened the cell and let her out. "I want my damn phone call."

"I think you heard my client, Taggert." Alexis walked into the holding pin, her briefcase in one hand, and a coffee in the other. "I suggest you let her out now."

Taggert faced Alexis, his annoyance at her appearance event in his face. "Obviously, she doesn't need it now that you're here." Alexis crooked her eyebrow at Taggert. She was pretty ticked off that her carefully laid plans had been for shit. "Look, Taggert, Carly's isn't a criminal."

"Aided and abiding are pretty solid charges here Alexis. You know that. Ms. Bens- excuse me, Mrs. Corinthos," Taggert sneered through clenched teeth, "was seen coming out of her penthouse with Mr. Smith. Got her dead to rights."

Alexis hated when Taggert got this way. He could be completely retarded sometimes. She almost felt sorry for Hannah. "I'm only saying this once. I want to speak to my client. Bring her upstairs now." Alexis whirled on her heels, smiling when she heard the clang of the cell door opening. /Now that was more like it.../ She was tempted to keep going but decided Carly was probably in need of some support. She paused at the door to the interrogation room, turning to see Carly and Taggert approaching.

She opened the door, letting Carly through and stepping in front of Taggert as he tried to walk in. "I need to talk to my client alone." He gave a deadly look but walked out to the squad room without a word.

"Thanks, Alexis."

"Hey, that's why I get paid the big bucks. What happened?"

"I don't know. Zander was headed to your place to ask some advice on what to say. I noticed that he'd dropped a paper from some file he wanted to show you and I opened the door to give it to him. Taggert was there with two other policemen. I was grabbed by Taggert and placed under custody, too."

"Wait. Taggert didn't see you or Zander interact at all?"

Carly paused to think but shook her head. "No." She laughed at the smirk on Alexis's face. "I take it that's a good thing."

"Oh yeah. Stay put. I'm going to go check on Zander." Alexis looked down at Carly's lap where her hands where restrained by handcuffs. "That little… I'll get them to take those off, too." She put a comforting hand on Carly's shoulder. "You're doing great."

"Thanks, Alexis."

Alexis nodded, walking out in to the squad room. She found Taggert and Mac harassing Zander. "Gentlemen, you're not trying to get my client to talk without benefit of counsel." She sent Zander a comforting smile before turning her gaze back to the two policemen. She focused on Taggert as she circled to stand behind Zander. "Lt. Taggert, what were Carly and Zander doing when you caught them together." Alexis hid her smile when Taggert looked around the station nervously. "You did see them together didn't you, Lt.?"

"I didn't see them together but..."

"Wait. Wait. You didn't see them together? Then why exactly did you arrest my client?" Alexis stared at Taggert, her anger getting the better of her. "You've done some low things, Taggert but this beats all. Dragging Carly down here like a common criminal. No offense, Zander."

"None taken."

Mac watched as his case started to go up in flames. He stared at Taggert hard. This was his entire fault. "I wasn't aware that Mrs. Corinthos was your client, Alexis." He needed to stall for time until Dara arrived. He was sure she'd find a way out of this mess. Alexis brought her attention the commissioner. She knew Mac was an honorable kind of man. "Mac. She is innocent. For crying out loud she was walking out of her apartment." She raised her hand effectively cutting off Taggert's argument. "Regardless of who was in her building, she should be allowed to walk out of her apartment without being arrested."

"I know and I agree. Mrs. Corinthos will be out as soon as possible."

"That's not good enough, Mac."

"You know the process Alexis. We have to wait for the proper channels."

"What the hell have ya'll done to my little niece?" Luke's bellowed statement rang through the squad room. Alexis swore under her breath. She didn't need this right now. "Luke."

"What the hell is going on, Natasha?"

"Luke, please..." Alexis heard another commotion and turned to see a furious Sonny storm through the doors followed by Johnny and Mike. Her eyes followed Johnny as he made his way over to her. She felt Luke poke her on her side. "Roll the tongue back in, Tasha." He winked at her before joining his partner. Sonny was yelling at Tagget and Mac to let him in to see Carly. "She's my wife."

"Sorry, Corinthos, she's unavailable right now." Tagget smirked at his enemy.

Sonny ignored him, keeping his anger in check and focusing on Mac. "You can't keep me from seeing her."

Alexis came to stand beside Sonny, taking his elbow she moved him away from Taggert. "Mr. Corinthos is right." Alexis steered him to the interrogation room. It was empty. She glanced at Taggert who gave her a self-satisfied smile. Son of a bitch. "Can someone please tell me where Carly is?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. She was taken back down to lock-up."

Alexis closed her eyes, counting to ten before turning to Sonny. "Go on. She needs to see you. Can someone escort Mr. Corinthos to see his wife?" A rookie led Sonny out of the room. Alexis waited until he was gone before advancing on Taggert. "You and I are going to have a long talk about proper procedure, Lt. Taggert." She turned away from Taggert, walking over to Zander and Luke. "How you holding up?"

"I'm doing pretty well, I guess."

"Zander!" Emily yelled, rushing to where they all stood. Nick, Gia and Ned followed behind her. Ned walked up to Alexis hugging her tightly. Emily did the same to Zander. Luke looked toward Johnny, catching the bodyguard's stony face. Oh, he hadn't liked that at all.

"This should be interesting..."