WHERE DANGER LURKS
Elizabeth's heart stopped as she turned around toward the door. When she saw him she was partly relieved he wasn't Jason, yet nervous, he had been her first love. Lucky's eyes locked onto hers and his mouth dropped. Georgie got up, sensing they should talk alone. Elizabeth couldn't help but let a smile show. But would Lucky smile back? He did. He approached her and Elizabeth stood up, "Lucky." she began but couldn't seem to find the words. Lucky stood in front of her, in his cop uniform in awe. Elizabeth felt nervous as he looked her over, "Elizabeth..I never.I honestly never thought I'd ever see you again."
Elizabeth let out a cynical laugh, "Well, here I am...I'm just as surprised as you are."
"Elizabeth...it's been so long..."
Elizabeth nodded, "Yes it has.I'm not quite sure what to say." Elizabeth's voice was unemotional yet inside she felt as though her heart was going to leap out of her chest.
Lucky's smile faded when he heard the tone in her voice. Lucky took Elizabeth's hand, "I do..Welcome Home Elizabeth." Elizabeth pulled her hand away, "Thank you Lucky, but this isn't my home." Lucky began to study her face, "You've changed.." Elizabeth shot back, "And so have you...Officer Lucky." Lucky laughed a bit and his laughter seemed to break Elizabeth as she began to laugh too, "I'm sorry Lucky..you have to understand...time changes people." Lucky nodded, "I know, trust me I know."
"Let me just tell you right now, I'm not the same Elizabeth Webber who left here OK, you're right, I have changed." Lucky nodded, "After 4 years everyone changes...as long as you're not some criminal...you're still Elizabeth Webber to me." Elizabeth laughed, not at Lucky, but at the irony. The two sat back down and Elizabeth began to let her nerves get the best of her as she tapped the table nervously, "So I hear, you and Gia are together." Lucky smiled, "We are..she's something else, I'll tell you that."
Elizabeth smiled, Lucky looked so happy, "And I hear Courtney and Jason are divorced." Lucky nodded, "Yeah, she's married to Brian now, he's my partner." Elizabeth nodded, this Brian guy was a cop too, Courtney went from marrying a hitman to a cop. Elizabeth smirked to herself as she asked another question, "And Carly's gone?"
"Actually, she's back to visit. She's now married to Alcazar."
"I honestly thought she and Sonny would be together forever." Elizabeth said softly.
"Lot of people did, but after Sonny shot her, things changed. His girlfriend is Sam McCall. She was actually Jax's girlfriend. It was like Brenda all over again. But Jax is back with Skye now."
"Yeah, I saw them at the airport." Elizabeth wanted to ask about what was going on with Courtney and Sonny but decided it was none of her business.
"By the way, I'm sorry about Ric..." Lucky offered. Elizabeth sighed, "Thank you Lucky, but don't dwell on it. I'm not." Lucky seemed a bit taken back by the statement so Elizabeth quickly changed the subject, "How's Zander?" Lucky shook his head, "He's a mess Elizabeth, he works for Faith Roscoe and when Emily married Nikolas he went bzerk. That night he set fire to Jake's and almost OD'd. Then when Emily began to get sick again he went after Nikolas blaming him."
"Wait back up, when Emily got sick again?"
Lucky's eyes widened, "You mean you don't know."
"No Lucky, tell me what's wrong with Em." Lucky reached out for Elizabeth's hand and she pulled it back, "Tell me."
"She's in the hospital again, she's been in and out for the last year..I thought you knew." Elizabeth stood up, "I have to go see her, come with me..I need to see her." Lucky nodded as he led Elizabeth outside. Elizabeth was fuming mad, how could Tommy not tell her.
---------
Tommy entered his hotel room and found a black envelope on the bed. He slowly opened the envelope and inside was a small piece of white paper, it was a note:
~Mr. Vercetti, Welcome to Port Charles, I hope you will be able to make meeting tonight. Sonny will contact you later.
Ms. Roscoe~
Tommy shook his head as Vinny entered, "Tommy, what's next?" Tommy showed Vinny the note, "This is from Faith Roscoe, she too knows Sonny is weak and wants what I want, the territory." Vinny set the note down, "Do we take her out?"
Tommy shook his head, "No, this last few years she has gained more power than anyone expected, she's practically invincible."
"What about Alcazar?"
Tommy laughed as he took his coat off, "I think Mr. Corinthos will take care of him, those two are mortal enemies Vinny, we just have to worry about Sonny and Faith, I'm expecting a call soon so I would appreciate it if you left." Vinny nodded as he left.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
Elizabeth and Lucky entered the hospital. Elizabeth paused a second, taking in the surroundings. The place had changed, it looked run down. Lucky noticed Elizabeth's surprise at the condition of the hospital, "A lot has changed Elizabeth. This is a mob town now. The five families practically own this town, the Quartermaines aren't as powerful anymore. Right after you left AJ Quartermaine stole the families millions with.well.with Lydia,"
Elizabeth remembered the redhead, "The one you.."
Lucky nodded, "Yeah, her.well they ran off to Tahiti or something with all the money, leaving the Q's broke. Eventually hell froze over and Edward asked Faith Roscoe for help. She ended up scamming them and she got control of ELQ and the hospital here."
Elizabeth shuttered just thinking about Faith, that women practically ruined her life. Lucky led Elizabeth toward the elevator. "Edward and Lila both died last year, Emily was heart broken over that...and over Zander, he helped Faith scam them, like I said earlier, he works for Faith now." Elizabeth sighed wanting to change the subject once they got on the elevator, "Did you read my letter?" Lucky nodded, "I did, you didn't explain much, but that letter was the closet thing to goodbye then telling me."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
*ring ring*
Tommy picked up the phone sitting on the table next to him, "Hello?"
"Mr. Vercetti, this is Sonny Corinthos."
"I have been expecting your call."
"I received your package and I hope you won't become a threat to me."
"you have valuable territory Mr. Corinthos."
"There will be a meeting tonight at 8 at Warehouse 41, be there."
Sonny hung up and Tommy smirked, sensing the anxiety on Sonny's voice. He looked up at the clock, it was only 5.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------
Lucky and Elizabeth entered the level where cancer patients stayed. Elizabeth's eyes fixed on the young girl with dark brown hair and olive skin. She knew that had to be Emily and Nikolas's daughter. The little girl smiled recognizing Lucky and ran to him with open arms. Lucky smiled and picked the girl up. "Joey!" The little girl giggled. Elizabeth smiled at the girl and girl stopped giggling as Lucky put her down. Lucky noticed the girls sudden shyness at Elizabeth, "Joey, this is Elizabeth, the girl who paints."
The girl smiled and repeated, "The Wind." Lucky turned to her, "Emily took over your gallery, Joey loves it there and The Wind is her favorite."
Elizabeth smiled, "You like the Wind?." Joey nodded as her father walked toward them with water in his hand. "Lucky, glad to see you...who's this.."
Elizabeth turned around nervously, "Hi" was all she could muster up. "Elizabeth..wow..it's great to see you." Nikolas pulled her into a hug. "Are you here to see Em?"
Elizabeth nodded, "I just found out."
"Lucky, watch Joey while I show Elizabeth the way." Nikolas led Elizabeth down the hall and stopped at the door with the name 'Emily Cassadine' on it. "Stay out here a few minutes, let me see if she is up and get her ready." Elizabeth nodded as Nikolas closed the door behind him. All of a sudden this all became so real. Her best friend, whom she hadn't contacted in four years, was dying. Elizabeth felt a wave of guilt flow over her. She missed so much time with her, time that was spent on killing and violence. All because of Jason Morgan. She didn't totally blame him though. She was the one who shot Courtney. Still, Jason forced what happened to influence her leaving town. Elizabeth's palms began to sweat. Did she want to see Emily, in the condition she was in, or just remember her the way she was on that Halloween Night. Dancing with Nikolas, eyes full of life, smile shining and skin radiating. No, she had to see Emily, she had to be there for her friend. Nikolas opened the door and walked up to Elizabeth, "She's awake, I'll leave you two alone." Nikolas left as Elizabeth entered the dimly lit room.
Emily lay on the bed. Her eyes were glazey and her skin was pale. Elizabeth frozen face let a tear flow at her friend's appearance. "Elizabeth.." Emily said, her voice still as sweet as ever. Elizabeth stood be her bed, "Emily, oh Em.." She sat at her friend's bedside. Emily took Elizabeth's hand. "Welcome Home." All Elizabeth could do was nod. Emily smiled, "How have you been?" Elizabeth shrugged, "OK I guess." Emily nodded, "Don' t look so sad Elizabeth..I'm not dead yet." Elizabeth began to cry now, "Emily, I'm so sorry I haven't called or written.I didn't know." Elizabeth looked down. Emily raised her chin, "Shhhh.I understand you probably couldn't have."
Elizabeth's mascara began to run and you could see Elizabeth's eyes again..her real eyes. The two just looked at each other until Emily broke the silence, "So where have you been." Elizabeth sighed, "I'm not sure I'm ready to tell anyone just yet.let's not talk about me..tell me what's happened with you." Emily smiled, "Well, I suppose you met my daughter Josephine." Elizabeth nodded, "She's beautiful."
"Thank you..Um.me and Nikolas got married, but my family went bankrupt, my grandparents died, um..I've been sick..that's really it." Elizabeth smiled, "I missed you Em." "I missed you." The two smiled, "So have you seen Jason yet?" Elizabeth frowned, "No, and I don't want to."
"Jason told me what really happened."
"What?"
"Well, everyone thought Jason shot Courtney, although Jason never said otherwise, Courtney claimed it had been one of Faith's men. But then you disappeared the same time. Everyone had a theory about what really happened. Lucky had to convince lot of people you weren't dead. At first when I asked Jason about you he was cold and didn't care where you had went. But a few weeks later he came to me and told me I needed to know what really happened. He regretted it Elizabeth, Courtney told him that Faith was the one who pushed you down the stairs. Jason began to piece everything together, that you meant to shot Faith. He hates what he did Elizabeth, he even looked for you."
"He did?" Elizabeth couldn't believe what she was hearing.
Emily nodded, "Yeah, that was one of the reasons Jason and Courtney broke up. That and the fact Courtney still believed Jason shot her. Then Sonny and Jason took the kids out of the country for a while without telling Courtney to protect them."
So that's what they did to her Elizabeth thought, that must be the reason Courtney is going after Sonny now. Elizabeth still felt resentment toward Jason. But it was nice to know he felt guilty about what he said. "I'm glad you know Emily, are you the only one besides Jason?"
Emily nodded, "We're the only two." Elizabeth felt closer to Emily now that she knew why she had to leave, even though Elizabeth had so many more secrets. Just then Nikolas and Lucky came in with Joey. Joey sat on the floor with her coloring book while Nikolas and Lucky pulled chairs up to Emily's bed. "We're together again, the four musketeers." Emily smiled, her frail body seemed to become livelier as the four talked about old times and her pale skin seemed to light up. Elizabeth forgot about Tommy and Vice City. She laughed and cried with her old friends. Just as she began to become comfortable around them her beeper beeped and reality struck her. It was Tommy, time for business. It was only 7 though. She looked up at her old friends, "I have to go, I hate to leave.but I just have to." Emily nodded, "That's OK, just come back OK." Elizabeth nodded, "Of course, goodbye you all, and it was nice meeting you Joey." Joey smiled, "Bye Bye."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------
Tommy waited outside the hotel for Elizabeth. As Elizabeth approached she got right in Tommy's face. "Why didn't you tell me she was sick!!!!"
Tommy backed away, "I had my reasons."
"Wrong answer, why??!!!" She was shouting now.
"I didn't think you wanted to know."
Elizabeth closed her eyes, "Tommy, you should have told me...you should have told me."
Tommy nodded, "You're right, I should have, but now is not the time to discuss this, we have a meeting to attend. But if you aren't ready to, I'll take Vinny."
"What meeting?"
"Sonny called a meeting at 8." Tommy explained.
"You know Sonny is not just going to hand over his territory, if anything he's going to kill you."
"I doubt it Elizabeth, Sonny isn't the powerful man you once claim to have known. He is weak," Elizabeth just nodded, it was sooner than she expected, but she had to face them. Tonight she would face Sonny and Jason.
Elizabeth's heart stopped as she turned around toward the door. When she saw him she was partly relieved he wasn't Jason, yet nervous, he had been her first love. Lucky's eyes locked onto hers and his mouth dropped. Georgie got up, sensing they should talk alone. Elizabeth couldn't help but let a smile show. But would Lucky smile back? He did. He approached her and Elizabeth stood up, "Lucky." she began but couldn't seem to find the words. Lucky stood in front of her, in his cop uniform in awe. Elizabeth felt nervous as he looked her over, "Elizabeth..I never.I honestly never thought I'd ever see you again."
Elizabeth let out a cynical laugh, "Well, here I am...I'm just as surprised as you are."
"Elizabeth...it's been so long..."
Elizabeth nodded, "Yes it has.I'm not quite sure what to say." Elizabeth's voice was unemotional yet inside she felt as though her heart was going to leap out of her chest.
Lucky's smile faded when he heard the tone in her voice. Lucky took Elizabeth's hand, "I do..Welcome Home Elizabeth." Elizabeth pulled her hand away, "Thank you Lucky, but this isn't my home." Lucky began to study her face, "You've changed.." Elizabeth shot back, "And so have you...Officer Lucky." Lucky laughed a bit and his laughter seemed to break Elizabeth as she began to laugh too, "I'm sorry Lucky..you have to understand...time changes people." Lucky nodded, "I know, trust me I know."
"Let me just tell you right now, I'm not the same Elizabeth Webber who left here OK, you're right, I have changed." Lucky nodded, "After 4 years everyone changes...as long as you're not some criminal...you're still Elizabeth Webber to me." Elizabeth laughed, not at Lucky, but at the irony. The two sat back down and Elizabeth began to let her nerves get the best of her as she tapped the table nervously, "So I hear, you and Gia are together." Lucky smiled, "We are..she's something else, I'll tell you that."
Elizabeth smiled, Lucky looked so happy, "And I hear Courtney and Jason are divorced." Lucky nodded, "Yeah, she's married to Brian now, he's my partner." Elizabeth nodded, this Brian guy was a cop too, Courtney went from marrying a hitman to a cop. Elizabeth smirked to herself as she asked another question, "And Carly's gone?"
"Actually, she's back to visit. She's now married to Alcazar."
"I honestly thought she and Sonny would be together forever." Elizabeth said softly.
"Lot of people did, but after Sonny shot her, things changed. His girlfriend is Sam McCall. She was actually Jax's girlfriend. It was like Brenda all over again. But Jax is back with Skye now."
"Yeah, I saw them at the airport." Elizabeth wanted to ask about what was going on with Courtney and Sonny but decided it was none of her business.
"By the way, I'm sorry about Ric..." Lucky offered. Elizabeth sighed, "Thank you Lucky, but don't dwell on it. I'm not." Lucky seemed a bit taken back by the statement so Elizabeth quickly changed the subject, "How's Zander?" Lucky shook his head, "He's a mess Elizabeth, he works for Faith Roscoe and when Emily married Nikolas he went bzerk. That night he set fire to Jake's and almost OD'd. Then when Emily began to get sick again he went after Nikolas blaming him."
"Wait back up, when Emily got sick again?"
Lucky's eyes widened, "You mean you don't know."
"No Lucky, tell me what's wrong with Em." Lucky reached out for Elizabeth's hand and she pulled it back, "Tell me."
"She's in the hospital again, she's been in and out for the last year..I thought you knew." Elizabeth stood up, "I have to go see her, come with me..I need to see her." Lucky nodded as he led Elizabeth outside. Elizabeth was fuming mad, how could Tommy not tell her.
---------
Tommy entered his hotel room and found a black envelope on the bed. He slowly opened the envelope and inside was a small piece of white paper, it was a note:
~Mr. Vercetti, Welcome to Port Charles, I hope you will be able to make meeting tonight. Sonny will contact you later.
Ms. Roscoe~
Tommy shook his head as Vinny entered, "Tommy, what's next?" Tommy showed Vinny the note, "This is from Faith Roscoe, she too knows Sonny is weak and wants what I want, the territory." Vinny set the note down, "Do we take her out?"
Tommy shook his head, "No, this last few years she has gained more power than anyone expected, she's practically invincible."
"What about Alcazar?"
Tommy laughed as he took his coat off, "I think Mr. Corinthos will take care of him, those two are mortal enemies Vinny, we just have to worry about Sonny and Faith, I'm expecting a call soon so I would appreciate it if you left." Vinny nodded as he left.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
Elizabeth and Lucky entered the hospital. Elizabeth paused a second, taking in the surroundings. The place had changed, it looked run down. Lucky noticed Elizabeth's surprise at the condition of the hospital, "A lot has changed Elizabeth. This is a mob town now. The five families practically own this town, the Quartermaines aren't as powerful anymore. Right after you left AJ Quartermaine stole the families millions with.well.with Lydia,"
Elizabeth remembered the redhead, "The one you.."
Lucky nodded, "Yeah, her.well they ran off to Tahiti or something with all the money, leaving the Q's broke. Eventually hell froze over and Edward asked Faith Roscoe for help. She ended up scamming them and she got control of ELQ and the hospital here."
Elizabeth shuttered just thinking about Faith, that women practically ruined her life. Lucky led Elizabeth toward the elevator. "Edward and Lila both died last year, Emily was heart broken over that...and over Zander, he helped Faith scam them, like I said earlier, he works for Faith now." Elizabeth sighed wanting to change the subject once they got on the elevator, "Did you read my letter?" Lucky nodded, "I did, you didn't explain much, but that letter was the closet thing to goodbye then telling me."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
*ring ring*
Tommy picked up the phone sitting on the table next to him, "Hello?"
"Mr. Vercetti, this is Sonny Corinthos."
"I have been expecting your call."
"I received your package and I hope you won't become a threat to me."
"you have valuable territory Mr. Corinthos."
"There will be a meeting tonight at 8 at Warehouse 41, be there."
Sonny hung up and Tommy smirked, sensing the anxiety on Sonny's voice. He looked up at the clock, it was only 5.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------
Lucky and Elizabeth entered the level where cancer patients stayed. Elizabeth's eyes fixed on the young girl with dark brown hair and olive skin. She knew that had to be Emily and Nikolas's daughter. The little girl smiled recognizing Lucky and ran to him with open arms. Lucky smiled and picked the girl up. "Joey!" The little girl giggled. Elizabeth smiled at the girl and girl stopped giggling as Lucky put her down. Lucky noticed the girls sudden shyness at Elizabeth, "Joey, this is Elizabeth, the girl who paints."
The girl smiled and repeated, "The Wind." Lucky turned to her, "Emily took over your gallery, Joey loves it there and The Wind is her favorite."
Elizabeth smiled, "You like the Wind?." Joey nodded as her father walked toward them with water in his hand. "Lucky, glad to see you...who's this.."
Elizabeth turned around nervously, "Hi" was all she could muster up. "Elizabeth..wow..it's great to see you." Nikolas pulled her into a hug. "Are you here to see Em?"
Elizabeth nodded, "I just found out."
"Lucky, watch Joey while I show Elizabeth the way." Nikolas led Elizabeth down the hall and stopped at the door with the name 'Emily Cassadine' on it. "Stay out here a few minutes, let me see if she is up and get her ready." Elizabeth nodded as Nikolas closed the door behind him. All of a sudden this all became so real. Her best friend, whom she hadn't contacted in four years, was dying. Elizabeth felt a wave of guilt flow over her. She missed so much time with her, time that was spent on killing and violence. All because of Jason Morgan. She didn't totally blame him though. She was the one who shot Courtney. Still, Jason forced what happened to influence her leaving town. Elizabeth's palms began to sweat. Did she want to see Emily, in the condition she was in, or just remember her the way she was on that Halloween Night. Dancing with Nikolas, eyes full of life, smile shining and skin radiating. No, she had to see Emily, she had to be there for her friend. Nikolas opened the door and walked up to Elizabeth, "She's awake, I'll leave you two alone." Nikolas left as Elizabeth entered the dimly lit room.
Emily lay on the bed. Her eyes were glazey and her skin was pale. Elizabeth frozen face let a tear flow at her friend's appearance. "Elizabeth.." Emily said, her voice still as sweet as ever. Elizabeth stood be her bed, "Emily, oh Em.." She sat at her friend's bedside. Emily took Elizabeth's hand. "Welcome Home." All Elizabeth could do was nod. Emily smiled, "How have you been?" Elizabeth shrugged, "OK I guess." Emily nodded, "Don' t look so sad Elizabeth..I'm not dead yet." Elizabeth began to cry now, "Emily, I'm so sorry I haven't called or written.I didn't know." Elizabeth looked down. Emily raised her chin, "Shhhh.I understand you probably couldn't have."
Elizabeth's mascara began to run and you could see Elizabeth's eyes again..her real eyes. The two just looked at each other until Emily broke the silence, "So where have you been." Elizabeth sighed, "I'm not sure I'm ready to tell anyone just yet.let's not talk about me..tell me what's happened with you." Emily smiled, "Well, I suppose you met my daughter Josephine." Elizabeth nodded, "She's beautiful."
"Thank you..Um.me and Nikolas got married, but my family went bankrupt, my grandparents died, um..I've been sick..that's really it." Elizabeth smiled, "I missed you Em." "I missed you." The two smiled, "So have you seen Jason yet?" Elizabeth frowned, "No, and I don't want to."
"Jason told me what really happened."
"What?"
"Well, everyone thought Jason shot Courtney, although Jason never said otherwise, Courtney claimed it had been one of Faith's men. But then you disappeared the same time. Everyone had a theory about what really happened. Lucky had to convince lot of people you weren't dead. At first when I asked Jason about you he was cold and didn't care where you had went. But a few weeks later he came to me and told me I needed to know what really happened. He regretted it Elizabeth, Courtney told him that Faith was the one who pushed you down the stairs. Jason began to piece everything together, that you meant to shot Faith. He hates what he did Elizabeth, he even looked for you."
"He did?" Elizabeth couldn't believe what she was hearing.
Emily nodded, "Yeah, that was one of the reasons Jason and Courtney broke up. That and the fact Courtney still believed Jason shot her. Then Sonny and Jason took the kids out of the country for a while without telling Courtney to protect them."
So that's what they did to her Elizabeth thought, that must be the reason Courtney is going after Sonny now. Elizabeth still felt resentment toward Jason. But it was nice to know he felt guilty about what he said. "I'm glad you know Emily, are you the only one besides Jason?"
Emily nodded, "We're the only two." Elizabeth felt closer to Emily now that she knew why she had to leave, even though Elizabeth had so many more secrets. Just then Nikolas and Lucky came in with Joey. Joey sat on the floor with her coloring book while Nikolas and Lucky pulled chairs up to Emily's bed. "We're together again, the four musketeers." Emily smiled, her frail body seemed to become livelier as the four talked about old times and her pale skin seemed to light up. Elizabeth forgot about Tommy and Vice City. She laughed and cried with her old friends. Just as she began to become comfortable around them her beeper beeped and reality struck her. It was Tommy, time for business. It was only 7 though. She looked up at her old friends, "I have to go, I hate to leave.but I just have to." Emily nodded, "That's OK, just come back OK." Elizabeth nodded, "Of course, goodbye you all, and it was nice meeting you Joey." Joey smiled, "Bye Bye."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------
Tommy waited outside the hotel for Elizabeth. As Elizabeth approached she got right in Tommy's face. "Why didn't you tell me she was sick!!!!"
Tommy backed away, "I had my reasons."
"Wrong answer, why??!!!" She was shouting now.
"I didn't think you wanted to know."
Elizabeth closed her eyes, "Tommy, you should have told me...you should have told me."
Tommy nodded, "You're right, I should have, but now is not the time to discuss this, we have a meeting to attend. But if you aren't ready to, I'll take Vinny."
"What meeting?"
"Sonny called a meeting at 8." Tommy explained.
"You know Sonny is not just going to hand over his territory, if anything he's going to kill you."
"I doubt it Elizabeth, Sonny isn't the powerful man you once claim to have known. He is weak," Elizabeth just nodded, it was sooner than she expected, but she had to face them. Tonight she would face Sonny and Jason.