If Tomorrow Never Comes

Chapter 16

He sat quietly in the shadows, his eyes following Carly's every move. A gust of wind blew across the docks sending her blond hair flying in a different thousands directions. She pushed it away from her face absently, turning to glance behind her. He followed her gaze and cursed under his breath. Sonny came to stand beside his wife. /Sonny's wife./ A wave of rage overtook him and he jerked his gun out pointing it directly at Sonny's head. It could be so easy. One shot. A voice in his head told him to stop. He dropped his trembling hand to his side. After a minute he holstered the gun and watches the couple sitting quietly on a bench.

Alexis Davis walks down the steps, waving to them as she rushes by. He knew she would be trouble. He'd been thrilled when Taggert had arrested Carly and Zander after his little phone call to the PCPD. It would be almost too easy to get to her. But Alexis had shown up and somehow Carly had ended up going home. He brought his attention back to Sonny and Carly. They seemed to be having a heated argument. Maybe everything wasn't perfect in paradise. He smiled to himself as he backed away from the wall and headed down the alley.

" I said I was fine."

"Don't give me that Carly. I know you. You haven't been sleeping well, you barely eat, and you almost bit Johnny's head off this morning."

"What? A person can't have a bad day?" Carly snapped, standing up and moving to the edge of the docks. She heard Sonny sigh heavily. He came to stand behind her, his hands caressing her shoulders soothingly. Carly closed her eyes relishing warmth of his hands on her shoulders. He never failed to send a thrill through her. "Carly..."

She remained silent afraid if she said anything she wouldn't stop. She hated feeling scared. She knew she couldn't handle fear well. Fear made her do stupid things.

"Talk to me, baby, please."

"There's nothing to talk about."

Sonny moved away from Carly, his hands falling stiffly to his sides. "Fine. Let's go home."

"I don't want to." Carly knew she was being impossible but she hated when he got to be the mature one. She glanced at him from the sides of her eyes. If she hadn't known any better he would have seemed perfectly calm but she saw the storm brewing in his eyes.

"That's too bad. You're not staying here alone."

"I won't be alone. Johnny's right over there." She pointed behind her towards the shadows where Johnny stood trying his hardest to ignore them and their stupidity.

"Carly, it's not safe for you to be out here. I won't be... available for awhile." He watched her stare out at the distance, a look he recognized coming over her face. Sonny's eyes narrowed as he moved closer. "This is about the meeting isn't it? That's why you're upset?"

Carly laughed bitterly, "Now, why would my husband meeting his mortal enemy without any bodyguards and only my insane uncle for protection bother me?"

Sonny threw his hands in the air. "Give me a break. I've been in this business for years. I know what I'm doing Carly."

"Oh, Sonny, please spare me the almighty mob boss lecture. I've heard it a million times already." Carly felt the tears sting her eyes. She just wanted him to go away and leave her in peace but she was afraid to let him out of her sight.

"You don't believe me?" Sonny asked, his voice catching.

Carly didn't answer and she closed her eyes when she heard him walk up the docks away from her. /Damn it./ She moved to follow him but Johnny blocked her. She knew he'd heard the whole thing. "That was stupid of me." Johnny simply nodded. "Johnny, please make sure he's safe."

"I can't leave..."

"Joseph's right over there, John. Please." She sent him a pleading look and he felt himself give in. Damn the woman and her eyes. "Okay.Okay. But you go home now. Joseph!"

The other bodyguard emerged from the shadows coming to stand beside Carly."Take Mrs. Corinthos home." He turned to Carly. "You owe me." Carly smiled at him as he walked away. She watched him leave before turning back to Joseph. "Alright, warden, let's go."

"Not so fast."

Carly cringed hearing Hannah's annoying voice. This was all she needed. Gathering her strength, she turned around to face her soon to be sister. She flinched at the thought and the fact that Hannah was standing with AJ. " Wow. AJ, I knew you were drinking but I wasn't aware you'd lost all your mental capabilites. The Banana, AJ. For christs sake, you married to me I know you have better taste."

"You are a riot, Carly." Hannah glanced in the direction Johnny and Sonny had left. "Driving Sonny away already. That's a record, huh? I mean AJ lasted a year. What's it been? Two months?"

The barb stung at Carly's already bruised ego. Hannah had hit her right where it hurt. Not that she would let her know. "Oh, that's kind of sweet. You're keeping track. Pathetic, but sweet."

Hannah sent her a dirty look and walked away without saying a word.

"Bye-bye, Sis."

Carly turned to AJ, ready to take him on as well. AJ stared at her for a moment before asking. "Are you okay?" Carly hid her surprise and nodded, not sure why AJ wasn't being his usual bastard self. "Fine. You know we hate each other on our best day AJ but what the hell are you doing with her?"

"I'm not doing anything with her. She was having dinner at the Grille as was I and my date. Keisha had to leave early so I offered to walk Hannah home. Not that it matters. Good night." AJ replied, walking in the same direction that Hannah had gone. Carly stared at the spot for a moment. That had been almost civilized for AJ and her. She wondered briefly who the Keisha girl was and if she was the reason for the sudden change in AJ. She turned and bumped into Joseph. "My god, I forgot you were there. You know for a big guy you don't make much noise."

"That's the point." Joseph quipped.

Carly laughed but she was cut off by a hand that wrapped around her throat. Before Joseph could react, he was knocked out by the butt of a gun. Carly watched her bodyguard go down. She looked at the masked man who was a holding a gun at her and struggled against the hand around her throat. She felt the sharp prick of a knife blade and froze. "That's more like it." She felt her assaliant breath on her ear. " Now we can have a little fun." He brought his knife slowly down her front, cutting the buttons of her coat one at a time. Carly couldn't believe this was happening. She needed to think. She needed to stall. She needed to get to Sonny.

"Look, Juan, I don't care how much you think you know this guy. He's bad news." Lucky played with his chili, annoyed at the fact that even Juan seemed to be on Zander's side. "Who's side are you on, anyway?"

"Lucky, man, there are no sides. Zander made a mistake. Granted a huge one but he regrets it. You need to give him a chance." Juan stopped, seeing Shari walk into Kelly's. He waved her over to the table, a smile spreading across his face. "Listen, why don't you go to talk to him. See for yourself."

Shari reached the table and sat next to Lucky who smiled at her before returning to his untouched meal. "I still can't believe she fell for him. I mean first you. Now Zander."

"Hey!" Juan looked at Lucky indigniantly. "Excuse me, buddy."

Shari watched the two friends bicker back and forth. She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up to meet Gia's eyes. "What are these two bitching about now?"

"You know, the usual. Emily, Zander, mob wars, jail terms..."

Lucky stood offering Gia his seat and bringing another chair from an adjoining table. "I just don't get the whole thing. What is it about this guy that's got everyone even Carly and Sonny on his side?"

"He's kind of cute?" Juan teased, than backed off at the look Lucky sent him. "Lucky, it doesn't matter what you think or for that matter what I think. Emily cares about him and that's enough for me."

Lucky threw his napkin down with disgust, taking some money out his pocket, he placed it on the table and left. Gia stood to follow. She turned to the other two who waved her off. Juan watched them go. Now this was proving to be an interesting mess they were getting into. He turned to Shari, reaching for her hand and bringing it to his lips. "What do you think, babe?"

Shari shook her head, bringing his face to hers for a soft kiss. "I think we're in big trouble."

"Lucky wait! Come on! Lucky!" Gia stopped, her heel catching on a loose rock and she slipped coming forward to the ground. She felt a pair of hands grab her waist and steady her. She looked into Lucky's blue eyes. "Thanks."

Lucky's eyes fell to her mouth briefly before meeting her eyes again. Gia's breath caught in her throat and she licked her suddenly dry lips. Lucky saw the gesture and his heart skipped a beat. He pulled away from her as if he'd been burned. "Sorry. Are you okay?"

Gia composed herself. "Yeah. I'm fine. Are you?"

Lucky shook his head looking around the tables. The front of Kelly's was covered in lights and decorations. Fake paper Santas and flocked trees proved that Carly and Bobbie had gotten a hold of the Christmas spirit early this year. Thansking was still 3 days away. Gia watched him soak in his surroundings. "Pretty great, huh?"

"Yeah. A little early."

"Nah, man. It's never too early or too late."

Her meaning wasn't lost on him. He glanced at her noticing the way one of her braids had fallen out of place during her near spill. "Sometimes it is." He reached over to push it back into place. Moving closer to her, he lifted her hair off her shoulder's and to her back. Gia stood mesmerized, Lucky's eyes holding her frozen in place. "Sometimes it isn't." He moved his hands to her face, caressing her cheek gently. "What do you want, Gia?"

"The question is Lucky: What or who do you want?"

" I want...argh!" Lucky dropped to his knees taking a hold of his head. A blur of images flew past his closed eyes and the only thing he could make out clearly was Carly's terrified face. "Damn it!"

"Lucky!" Gia was at his side holding his head in her hands. "Lucky, look at me." A shadow fell over her and she looked up at Sonny and Johnny. "Gia? Lucky! What happened?" Sonny kneeled down next to Lucky. Johnny at Gia's side. "I- I'm - I don't know- we were talking and he just-" Gia stammered, her eyes never leaving Lucky.

"Sonny..."

Sonny heard Lucky's panicked voice. "What it it, Luck?"

Lucky's blue eyes meet Sonny's and he gripped the older's man's shoulders tightly. "It's Carly. Something bad with Carly."

A few minutes earlier...

Helena Cassadine stood in the shadows watching Lucky and the young girl speak. She smiled to herself at seeing him with the girl. Perhaps her programming was working after all. Here he was and no Elizabeth in sight. She chuckled watching the scene unfold in front of her. In just a few minutes she'd know if her plan was-

"Hello there my darling." Luke gripped Helena's shoulders, his lips at her ear. She felt that familiar rush of dusgust and desire he always ignited. She controled herself and careessed his hands.

"Why Luke, it has been far too long." She turned to face him, tearing his hands away from him. "Are you following me now?"

"Oh. Sugar, I'm everywhere you are. Haven't you realized that by now?" Luke glanced in the direction Helena had been staring seeing Lucky. He too a step towards Helena. "What are you doing watching my son?"

"Oh, Luke, paranoia does not suit you."

Luke pulled her roughly to him, their faces inches apart. "I asked what you were doing watching my son?" Helena smirked at him, her eyebrow raising slightly. "If I were you I wouldn't be worried about your son."

"Give me a break, Hells. You've been going for my son ever since he was born. 'A son for a son.' Isn't that what you once said?"

"I believe it was an heir for an heir." Helena replied cryptically. Luke held her tightly, pulling back slightly. Somehow she'd thrown him a loop. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" He heard Lucky scream and he glanced in his direction seeing Lucky fall to the ground. Helena pulled away and Luke was torn. Lucky needed him but he wanted to find out what the hell Helena was planning. He grasped her wrist." Tell me what you've done."

"Oh Luke. Always looking for the easy answer. You aren't looking in the right direction." She gestured to Lucky. "Shouldn't you go check on your son."

Without a word Luke ran to Lucky leaving a satisfied Helena watching.

"Oh for crying out loud, Liz. Give it a rest."

Nikolas Cassadine sat at his table trying to ignore his brother's ex girlfriend and her accusations. He looked up at her before turning to Juan and Gia. "No one here is against you."

"Well, except for me." Juan replied smiling sweetly at Liz.

Nikolas closed his eyes. "Juan you're not helping."

"How did Carly get you all against me, huh? What she do, Juan?" Liz remarked viciously. Nik and Juan stared at her dumbfounded she was even going there. Shari couldn't hold it back any longer."I don't know you very well. And truthfully I don't want to. But let me offer some advice." Shari stood up facing Liz. "Back off Carly. Now."

Before Liz could respond, a patron ran it yelling for an ambulance. "Lucky Spencer's hurt!" The entire group with the exception of Liz ran out of the restaurant towards the small crowd gathering around Lucky.

Sonny had frozen after Lucky's words. He looked at Johnny who stared back at him. Without waiting for another word Sonny pulled Lucky up and handed him to Luke who had just appeared at their sides. Johnny followed behind.

Luke held his son steady, wiping the sweat from his brow. "What's wrong, cowboy?"

"Dad, go.Help him."

"I'm not leaving..."

"It'sCarly, Dad. Something's wrong." Lucky brought frightened eyes up to his father. "Dad. Please."

Helena voice echoed in Luke's head. /"I believe it was an heir for an heir."/

"Oh shit..."