Chapter 3


Maxie stood there in the dark and thunder, awaiting an answer from him. She waits a few more seconds and then sighs.

" You know what, forget this. I'm out of here." says Maxie, turning to leave.

" Wait, wait! Maxie.. don't go, alright? Please." says Zander, taking hold of her arm.

Maxie turns back around, facing him. She looks down, not knowing what to do next. They weren't even together before he left. All she had done was help him. She didn't even know what he was to her. All she knew is that he meant something to her.

" Thank you." says Zander, softly.

He turns around and lights a lantern so that the light is better in the barn.

" I wanted to contact you, but it was too risky with your dad." says Zander.

" Oh ok- that explains why you made me and everyone else think you were dead." says Maxie.

" Look, I know it was an awful thing to do, alright? But I had to do it! They were gonna lock me up, Maxie. You don't know what it's like in there. I wasn't about to go back to prison.. in that dark hole for 30 years to life! I did what I had to do, and what I had to do was stay away." says Zander.

" So, you did start the fire?" says Maxie.

Zander nods quietly. Maxie just stands there, glaring at him with tears in her eyes that just wouldn't seem to fall.

" People died in that fire, Zander. Your fath-" says Maxie.

" I know he died.. I don't need to hear it again." says Zander, angirly.

" You don't feel anything about that? No remorse, no sadness, no nothing?" snaps Maxie.

" Of course I do. He came there looking for me. That was his choice. For once he- he chose me. I will never forgive myself as it is. But I've gotton over it. These past few months have given me alot of time to think-" says Zander.

" About what?" says Maxie.

" I don't know- myself. My life. You-" says Zander, looking up at her.

Maxie looks at him surprised.

" Me? You don't even know me, Zander." says Maxie.

" You were there for me, Maxie. You went above and beyond." says Zander.

" I don't understand.. you came back to tell me that you're grateful to me?" says Maxie.

" I had to do it in person. I couldn't just send you a stupid letter. Why did you think I came back?" says Zander.

Maxie looks down, embarrassed.

" I didn't think about it-" says Maxie, quickly.

Zander looks at her curiously. What did she think there was between them?

" I always thought there was something about you. Something I could never figure out. This goodness that you always try to hide to protect yourself." says Zander.

" Why are you telling me this, Zander?" says Maxie.

" I don't know.. I don't know much of anything anymore." says Zander, walking around the barn.

" You're not staying in Port Charles, are you?" says Maxie.

Zander looks back at her, running his hand over his face. He smiles, laughing a bit to himself. Why was she affecting him like this? This was Maxie Jones. The little, gangly girl he had seen only a few times in passing.

She did a few good things for him, this wasn't right.

" That's a stupid question. Why would you stay.. duh." says Maxie, with a small laugh.

Zander stares back at her.. she stares back at him, seeing the thunder light up the room.

There were a few more awkward seconds of staring, before Zander impulsively pulled her against him, kissing her.


Luke gazes outside at the rain from one of the smaller windows from inside The Haunted Star. Skye walks out from the back, pulling on her long black coat.

" Hey slacker, stop day dreaming." jokes Skye.

Luke laughs, looking back at her.

" I was just thinking about my kid. She hates storms." says Luke.

" Luke Spencer, thinking about his children. There's a first." says Skye, sitting at the blackjack table.

Luke looks back out the window, not responding.

" You guys have really turned your relationship around lately, huh?" says Skye.

" Yeah- we're getting there. I don't know, she's fifteen. I just- sometimes I look in the mirror, and I can't believe that I'm the father of a teenager again. She grew up so fast." says Luke.

" Well, it's good you're at least making an effort with her. It's sweet- this side of you. I didn't think it existed." says Skye.

" I didn't either. Not since Laura. She really raised Lucky. I was just there- trying to give him as much advice as I could. Look how good that did- he's a cop. Of all things." says Luke.

Skye laughs.

" Come on, Spencer. You're proud of him. Admit it." says Skye.

" Yeah, yeah, yeah." says Luke, walking over to the bar and pouring himself a drink.

Skye stands back up getting her purse.

" You taking off?" says Luke.

" Yeah, it's getting late. Aren't you?" says Skye.

" Na, I'm gonna stick around here for awhile. Bobbie wanted me to go by Kelly's anyway and lock up on the way." says Luke.

" Alright, be careful. It's really coming down out there." says Skye.

" Yep." says Luke, as Skye leaves.

Luke watched as Skye left, pouring himself yet another Scotch. He picked up the phone behind the counter and called the hospital.

" General Hospital, nurses station." says a voice.

" Hi, could I speak to Barbara Spencer?" says Luke.

" Just a moment, I'll page her." says the voice.

Luke waits for about a minute when Bobbie comes on the phone.

" Hello?" says Bobbie.

" Hey Barbara, it's me. Listen, are you working late tonight?" says Luke.

" Hey Luke. Yeah, I had to pull a double shift. Why?" says Bobbie.

" Oh, ya know- Lulu dosen't really like storms so I was worried about her." says Luke.

Bobbie laughs.

" Sorry, I haven't heard this side of you for awhile now." says Bobbie.

" Why does everyone keep saying that?" says Luke.

" She's there with Lucas. I'm sure they're fine. I'll be home in a couple of hours." says Bobbie.

" Alright. Love ya." says Luke.

" You too." says Bobbie, hanging up.

Luke sat down on the stool, not being able to shake the feeling that something was wrong. He usually had pretty good instincts when it came to feelings.. and this was a bad one.

He hesitantly dialed Lulu's cell phone number, awaiting an answer.

" Hello?" says Lulu, looking up from the math book.

" Hey darlin', it's me." says Luke, with a small smile.

" Hey daddy. What's up?" says Lulu.

" Oh nothing really, just closing up for the night. Everything ok over there?" says Luke.

" Yeah, everything's fine. Why wouldn't it be?" says Lulu, confused.

" No reason. I was just worried about you because of the storm. I know how you are about these things. But your Aunt Bobbie said Lucas was with you, so-" says Luke.

" Lucas actually went out." says Lulu.

" In this?" says Luke.

" Yeah, I know. I tried to tell him. He said he was hungry." says Lulu, rolling her eyes.

Luke laughs.

" I've never seen a human being consume as much food as that kid does." jokes Luke.

" He should be back any minute. I'm fine, really." says Lulu.

" Alright. I just wanted to make sure." says Luke.

" Hey, you know what? Why don't I pick up some Rocky Road after I close up over at Kelly's and we can sit this thing out together? What do you say?" says Luke.

Lulu feels a small smile spread across her face, surprised.

" Yeah, definately. If you're not too busy." says Lulu.

" No, no. Not busy at all. Unless I was in the mood for swimming, which I'm not." jokes Luke.

" Alright then, sounds great." says Lulu.

" Yeah, it does." says Luke.

Lulu pauses, listening to Luke hesitating on the other end.

" Dad, I know you're trying. So am I. I want this 'father/daughter' thing to work as much as you do." says Lulu, softly.

" So do I, darlin. So do I. I'll see you in about half an hour?" says Luke.

" Yeah, half an hour." says Lulu.

" Alright, see ya then." says Luke.

" Bye." says Lulu, hanging up.

Lulu stared at her cell phone, leaning her back against the couch, realizing how nice it was to finally have a dad in her life again.