Part 2:
Somebody's Living, and Somebody's Dying

Port Charles, NY,
December 31st, 1999

The Year 2000, New Year's Eve Party in Port Charles was already in its beginning stages in the newly built main building of the newly renovated docks, built for conventions. The ELQ board had voted again, and Alan, Monica, AJ, Edward (who voted his and Tracy's), and Katherine had triumphed over Chloe, who voted Lila's, Ned, Jax, Jason, and Sonny, and the docks are opened, with a gala party.
Half the town was there. All of the Quartermaines, except Lila and Michael, were there, of course. Chloe had come on Jax's arm, and Alexis had come with Ned, as Chloe now owned her Aunt's house, what was left of the trust, and her own company through her aunt's estate. Mac and Felicia Scorpio had been invited and come, Bobbie was there with Jerry Jacks, Katherine Bell had shown up, and everyone had been half-surprised and half-expecting it when Laura Webber had shown up with Stefan Cassadine. Dara had agreed to come with Justus, who'd been cajoled into coming by Edward. Sonny, who as an ELQ board member couldn't be kept away, had come with Hannah on his arm. Emily had asked Nikolas to come, since her parents had insisted she come. She'd asked Elizabeth too, but she was under strict surveillance after getting caught sneaking out on Christmas Eve. Audrey Hardy's funeral had been put off until January 11th, so the Webbers were forced to stay in town for a little longer. They'd actually received an invitation, but they hadn't shown up.

Kelly's
Diner

"You're all dressed up," Tammy commented, seeing Hannah come down the stairs in a slinky, revealing black evening gown, which has a slit up the back. It's the classic black dress, but just a little sexier than usual, and the material shines when the light catches on it. "Are you going to that big party downtown?"

"Yeah," Hannah nodded. "Sonny's taking me," she added. "Do I look all right?" She spun around for Tammy to check.

"Sonny's not going to know what hit him," Tammy said simply, before going into the back for something.

"That's the idea," Hannah said with a smile.

The Party:
By the Bar

Chloe's blond hair was piled on her head, and she's adorned in a floor length, shimmering white dress. She smiled at Jax as he handed her a glass of champagne.

"Have I mentioned you look lovely tonight?" He said charmingly, smiling as he picked up another glass of champagne for himself.

"I don't remember, but I always like to hear it again," she said lightly with a laugh.

He sighed inwardly as he looked at her, but forced a smile. "Um," he started, racking his brain for conversation, wondering why that was suddenly difficult to do. "Did you design that dress?"

She nodded. "I was going to have this same design done in silk, but then I thought it would be better if it sparkled. It makes it look a lot prettier, doesn't it? It's like stars burning in a distance... That's the feel I wanted." She chattered on.

She was certainly passionate about her design, Jax mused. Hadn't he been interested in it before? He struggled to focus on her now, wondering what was wrong with him. She was a beautiful, lively, fun-loving woman who was interested in him. So, why did he find her so bland, suddenly?

The Party:
Entrance

Felicia, who looked stunning in an unusual, sleeveless, violet dress made of cashmere, which hugged her slender body, turned to her husband just before they entered. "You ever get the creepy feeling you're being watched?"

"Yeah. Sometimes. Why? Is an instinct kicking in?" He asked as they entered, narrowing his eyes and furrowing his brow with worry.

"It's nothing," she assured him as they entered, but she couldn't help glancing behind her, where she saw a rustling shadow move away. She shook her head and forced her smile back on her face as they approached Bobbie and Jerry.

Outside
the Party

"Very good." Caesar Faison said into his cell phone as he watched Felicia Scorpio glance at his shadowy figure. "No, I'm not administering it to her yet, but I do want it delivered as soon as possible. Thank you." He pauses. "I trust a close eye is being kept on young Lucky Spencer?" He asks. "Good. I think now would be a good time to transport him. Have someone take care of that." He orders. "And how are things developing in Paris? That well?" He smiles. "I'd like to move onto the next step then." Pause. "Yes. I trust you'll make sure things go smoothly?" He asked. "Good. Keep an eye on my other...guests, as always, especially now. We can't afford to slip now. We're at the crucial moments. Also, have someone trail Luke Spencer. He's back in town. I want to be aware of his movements."

Unknown
Location

The room is nice enough. It's large and sunlight is flowing in a window. The room is decorated brightly in yellow and white. The bed has a yellow canopy and a yellow and white checked bedspread. The dressers are all carved of light pine. A mirror is attached to one dresser, and two doors are on the right-hand side of the room. One leads to a large, walk-in closet, and the other, she knows, leads to everything else in the house--and beyond. There's a guard just outside there, and a guard on the ground, five stories below her window, which is made of unbreakable, bulletproof glass and absolutely won't open. Two yellow drapes frame it.

The lovely, dark-haired woman looks worn and wearied with the years and the pain, knowing she has no escape.

"I know you're still alive, darling, I know it. Are you trapped, too? Why haven't you found me? Why aren't you here?" She asks her single, dog-eared photograph. "Oh, Robert, how I miss you."

Unknown
Location

"Good morning, Monsieur Scorpio," a slightly heavy-set, gray-haired guard entered the dull, bare, gray room, which holds a single cot, with a plate of toast and a glass of water. The guard was jovial, the prisoner was too thin, looking older than his years, and very weary of his condition.

"Great. Time for rations again?" He quipped.

"It is my instruction." The guard said, shrugging. "I am sorry it is so little, Monsieur Scorpio. I could not sneak you more today."

"I know," Robert had to smile a little. "I know how hard that can be, Jacques. I don't want to cause you any trouble. You do what you can." He knew Jacques only did this job for his family's safety, and if he mentioned anything from his talks with Jacques, Jacques and his family would be in great danger.

"Thank you for understanding, Monsieur. I'll try to bring you more for lunch," he promised. "And here," he handed him a small, newspaper section, "is something for you to read. It isn't much, but I know you like the news."

"Thank you for this," he held up the newspaper. "Thank you for all your kindness. It is more than I've gotten from anyone else for years." He paused. "Do you know how the lady is doing?" He knew who the woman was, but Jacques could find nothing to confirm it for him. No one, but Mr. Sinclair and, very rarely, some of the most trusted guards saw her. And no one ever called her by name, at least not when Jacques was around.

"There hasn't been much talk about her lately, Monsieur." Jacques said simply. "I should go now, Monsieur. Good day."

"Yes, and thank you, Jacques, for the paper," Robert said as the old guard left.

The Party,
Side Room

"I cannot believe they did that!" Emily said, obviously outraged at something. "Can you believe it? It's impossible... They're impossible."

"Maybe they just didn't want you to get hurt, Em," Nikolas suggested quietly, trying to pacify her.

"How could a letter hurt me?" She shot back. "Whose side are you on, anyway?" She spat out. "You think they should be able to censor my mail?"

Her dark hair was piled on her head, a lovely rose colored, satin dress is wrapped around her thin, young form. Her face is both beautiful and innocent looking; she'd look almost angelic, if it weren't for the deep glare in her brown eyes and the pout that twists her lips.

"You're right," Nikolas agreed. "It's unreasonable of them to throw away your letters, but you practically drove them to it, Em. You really pushed the limits when it came to Juan."

"You don't understand." Emily said, shaking her head and sinking onto a small, gray couch.

"Then why not try explaining it to me?" He suggested. "If you want me to understand, that is."

She looked up at him. "It's just that I. I..." She paused. "I love him."
Party: Terrace,
off the Main Room

Alexis stood out on the terrace despite the cold weather. Small, occasional snowflakes fell here and there, but the wind was very slight and only twirled the tiny white crystals in elegant dances.

Her hair was only half up, leaving small wisps of hair framing her face, and her floor-length dress was in a dark crimson, with slender straps and a low back. He came out and wrapped her black, woolen coat around her from behind. "I thought you could use this." He said softly. "Why'd you disappear?"

"I kept running into Jerry," she said, sighing as she spun around to face him. "I wonder what he thinks happened. I wonder what he thinks of me, what he thinks of any of this. I hope Jax's family doesn't hate me."

"You really like his family, don't you?" Ned asked quietly, brushing a snowflake from her face.

"I always wanted a family like that. They love each other very much."

"I wish I could give you a family like that," he whispered softly. "Instead, I come with the Quartermaines." He said, looking down.

"Hey," she placed a finger under his chin to raise his face back up to hers. "I come with the Cassadines remember? As far as I'm concerned, the Quartermaines are a step up." She said, and he smiled a little. "Besides, who says we can't have a family like that...someday," she said honestly.

"We will," he promised. "I'll give you that, and anything else I can. I'd give you anything, Alexis," he whispered. "Anything." He promised, his voice raw.

"I already have everything I want," she said, leaning in to kiss him. "Right here." She said when she pulled back. "Thanks for bringing me my coat," she added.

"You're welcome." He said simply. He stood behind her with his arms around her. "Why don't you come back in?" He asked. "I want to dance with you, in front of the roomful of people that's in there..." He paused and smiled. "I almost can't believe it, but the thought is actually exhilarating."

She laughed. "I'd love to."

Dara's
Apartment

"Sorry I'm late," Justus apologize quickly. "The mayor called just as I was leaving, and he can be long-winded, you know."

"That's okay. I'm running late too," Dara said. She was still in her robe, but her make-up and hair were done perfectly. "Just wait here a minute. I'm almost ready." She said before disappearing into another room.

She reappeared a moment later in a stunning ivory-colored dress. "Wow," Justus commented, smiling. "You look great."

"Thanks," she said with a smile, spinning around and showing off the dress. It was a layered dress, which had straps that criss-crossed over the back. The top layer was semi-sheer material that fell loosely over the bottom layer of thick wool. It was a lovely gown that showcased her curvy figure and the color was in perfect contrast to her chocolate-colored skin.

"You'll be the most beautiful woman there," he said, smiling and holding out his arm. "Ready to go?"

"Let's go. I'm ready to party like it's 1999!" She said with a laugh.

Paris,
France

Despite all the hoopla in Port Charles, it's approaching dawn in Paris, and all the parties have died down as Robin Scorpio trudges down the hallway to her apartment.

Two hands come out of nowhere. "Oh!" She cries, but it's stifled as a gloved hand covers her mouth with a rag, obviously drenched in something, and everything goes black.

Lucky's
Prison/Room

Two men are standing over Lucky's passed out, obviously drugged, form. Both have brown hair and are tall. The taller of the two is leaning over him. "He's out," he tells the other.

"How long do we have?"

"Ten hours or less," the other replies. "We must work quickly. Mr. Sinclair wants him in the house, on the island, with the others."

Hardy-Webber
House: Lizzie's Room

"Elizabeth?" Jeff Webber poked his head into his daughter's room. "It's only nine o'clock. I know you're not asleep. You're not even in your pajamas," he said, lifting the covers off of her and revealed that she was in jeans and a T-shirt still. She rolled over, and he sighed. "Come on, Lizzie," He said, sounding weary. "How long are you going to stay mad?"

She just glared at him and pulled the pillow over her head.

"Fine," he said, sighing. "But you're not staying in Port Charles, no matter how obnoxious you act. And you've got to be making your decision soon. Either you're going to London with Sarah, or you're coming back to Bulgaria with your mother and me." He said, sighing.

The Party,
Tables

"You'll excuse me?" Stefan asked Laura, covering the mouthpiece on his cell phone. "I'm sorry, but I really must take this."

"Yes, I understand. Go ahead."

Laura glanced down at her silk gown. It was a soft, sky blue. She sighed as she sipped her champagne. "Hey, Laura," Amy, who is dressed in a lovely peach-colored gown that had a long slit up the side, said, coming up behind her. "Where's your date?"

"Hi, Amy," Laura replied. "Did you ever get that New Year's Eve date you were planning so far in advance for."

"You bet I did," Amy said with a wide smile. She nods her head towards the bar. "See that guy, the cute blond one," she says, and the guy turns and Amy and he exchange a smile. "That's my date."

"He's cute," Laura noted. "Where'd you meet him?"

"On the internet," Amy told Laura, who looked appalled and speechless at the thought. "Oh, now don't get like that. I arranged to meet him the other day, at Kelly's, because you're supposed to meet in a public place. He's a really great guy."

Laura just raised an eyebrow.

Kelly's
Diner

"I thought you might be here," Mike said with a smile as he approached the counter, which Tammy stood behind.

"What gave you that idea?" She quipped sarcastically, but she was in good-humor. "What brings you here?"

He'd come in carrying a bottle of champagne. He held it up. "I'm looking for someone to celebrate the New Year with. Any takers?"

"For free champagne?" She asked with a smile. "Why not?" She agreed. "Let's see, you brought the champagne, so the least I could do is supply some food. You know I made some pies, and they sold like crazy. The pumpkin ones went first, and then the mince meat, the chocolate, the apple strudel pie, and the cherry cobbler, but I have one lemon pie left."

"And you know what? Lemon is my favorite," Mike said with a smile. "How's that for a coincidence?"

"I'll be right back. You pour the champagne," Tammy said with a grin.
The Party,
Main Room

Soft strains of music, from the small orchestra in the corner, flow through the room as plenty of couples spin around the dance floor, passing the time until the clock strikes midnight, which isn't long away now.

Carly and AJ held each other at arms length as they danced. Her gaze was continually over his shoulder, at the entrance. People still trickled in, but not often. It was 11:39 now, just over twenty minutes until midnight.

Jason hadn't appeared yet, and Carly couldn't decide whether she hoped he would or wouldn't come as she glanced at her diamonds. She liked the ones Jason had given her much better than these. Her dress was a stunning, expensive gown. It was the color of cocoa with spaghetti straps, a revealing, but appropriate neckline, and a long skirt.

She nearly gasped as she saw him enter. He had come. She'd had a feeling he was coming...just a feeling. Their eyes met across the room, and she looked away quickly, struggling to keep herself focused on dancing, which was quite a task, especially as she caught a glance of a dark-haired woman with him.

"Something wrong?" AJ asked, noticing she'd tensed, but Jason had slipped into the crowd by now, and looked at her husband.

"No, nothing at all," she lied.

From a few feet away, at a table, Bobbie watched her daughter look at Jason over AJ's shoulder and shook her head, sighing.

"What's that for?" Jerry asked as he handed her a glass of white wine and sat down next to her. She was in a pretty, emerald gown that fell just above her feet. It was simple in design, but very lovely and elegant.

"Carly." Bobbie said simply, not adding more, and Jerry smiled a wry half-smile. "What else?" She added.

"What did she do this time?"

"Nothing, yet."

Party,
By the Bar

Jason joined Sonny and Hannah where they were. "Hey, you came," Hannah said, flashing him a smile.

"Maria wanted to come," he said simply. "Do you know Hannah?" He asked Maria, who shook her head. "Well, this is Hannah Scott. Hannah, this is Maria Juarez."

"Hi," Maria said with a smile. "It is nice to meet you."

"You know Sonny already?" Hannah asked, narrowing her eyes, noticing that she was the only one introduced.

Maria nodded. "I work in Sonny's casino...or I used to." She looked stunning, dressed simply in a sapphire colored, satin gown that was form-fitting and flattering.

The Party,
Main Room

"You danced me around that floor so many times my feet hurt," Alexis complained to Ned, sitting down, but she was smiling. "I didn't know you were suffering from such a lack of dancing," she teased.

"I've been a bit lacking of everything for a few months," he said with a grin in his eyes. He stood up and grabbed a couple of champagnes from a tray, handing one to her. "What should we toast to?" He asked.

"The new year?" She suggested. "Or is that too unoriginal?"

"To a new year filled with happiness, with a woman I love," he half-suggested, half-said, smiling.

She smiled back. "To a year of joy and hope...and love, with you," she put in a little shyly.

"To the new year." They both said at once as they clinked glasses. The last song stopped, and everyone readied themselves for the countdown.

The Party
Main Room

"Ten."

Chloe smiled up at Jax as she grabbed confetti and streamers to throw when the count stopped.

"Nine."

Beside Sonny and Hannah, Jason talked to a smiling, lively Maria, who was gathering up confetti.

"Eight."

Carly stared at Jason from across the room, but tried not to. AJ handed her some streamers to throw, and she tried to smile at him.

"Seven."

Bobbie watched Carly watch Jason and shook her head a little, but she was smiling as she stood next to Jerry and waited for the countdown to end.

"Six."

Nikolas said something in Emily's ear, and she smiled sincerely at him as they rejoined the group.

"Five."

Laura smiled as Stefan returned to her side, and Amy looked up at her handsome, blond, mystery man from the internet and smiled.

"Four."

Alan and Monica smiled and readied themselves with confetti and streamers, as they glanced over at Emily, who was no longer glaring.

"Three!"

Felicia said something to Mac that made him smile as the picked up streamers to throw.

"Two!"

From the corner of the room, Faison watched a festive Felicia and Mac prepare for the New Year.

"One!"

Location
Unknown

What happened? Lucky wondered inwardly, coming to. He'd been moved. He could tell, but he couldn't see anything. It was too dark, and he couldn't move. Why couldn't he move. It was as though he was paralyzed. He couldn't move, couldn't speak... What was going on?

The Party,
Main Room

"Happy New Years!"

The clock struck midnight; couples kissed, and streamers and confetti flew throughout the room as the shout rung out.

Under the very same sky
At the very same time
Somebody's laughing

At Kelly's, Mike leans over and kisses Tammy as the clock strikes twelve, then they open the second bottle of champagne, which fizzes over and they both laugh as they try to get it into cups

Somebody's crying
Somebody's living
Somebody's dying

Anna ran her hand over the dog-eared, old photo, the only one she'd been able to get of Robert. "Oh, darling... I wish I knew that you were alive." She whispered, tears welling up in her eyes.

I'm just a guy who's
In love with a girl
It's a beautiful day

Ned kissed Alexis deeply, and when they pulled back, he leaned over to whisper something in her ear that made her smile.

Tomorrow Wall Street's
Gonna rise or it will fall
The earth will keep on
Spinning 'round like
Some big old crystal ball

Chloe giggles and says something to Jax, which he smiles at, but doesn't look too sincere in it.

And we keep pretending like
We really understand
While the children's choir
Keeps singing
"He's got the whole world in
His hands"

On the terrace, Jason comes up behind Carly who'd slipped away, and they share a long look. She touches his cheek for a moment, kisses him briefly, and walks out past him.

Under the very same sky
At the very same time
Somebody's laughing

Emily laughed as she picked streamers out of her hair, and Nikolas smiled and went to help her get the confetti out.

Somebody's crying
Somebody's living
Somebody's dying

Robin Scorpio's drugged, unconscious form is brought into a small, comfortable looking room. Two guards work at untying the ropes that bind her hands, in case she were to wake up.

I'm just a guy who's
In love with a girl
It's a beautiful day
In the cold cruel world

At the firehouse, Scott Baldwin smiles as he kisses a sleeping Lucy's forehead and tucks her into bed. Christina, who's out cold herself, had exhausted her.

Under the very same sky
At the very same time
Somebody's laughing

Mac smiles as he and Felicia duck out of the party, chatting and laughing, hoping to beat the crowd to the parking lot.

Somebody's crying
Somebody's living
And somebody's dying

Robert Scorpio lies on his cot, reading the beat-up section of the newspaper and thinking of his wife and daughter.

I'm just a guy who's
In love with a girl,
It's a beautiful day
In the cold cruel world

(Song Credit: "Cold, cruel world," by the Warren Brothers off of Beautiful Day in the Cold Cruel World)