Part 6:
Anna Back In Town

January 25th,
2000

She sighed as the rain fell in sheets, soaking her to the bone. Her dark hair was wrapped in a scarf and she wore huge sunglasses despite the fact that one couldn't tell the sun existed on a day like today. Water dripped down her long skirt and she pulled her coat tighter around herself.

She'd gotten the clothes from a shelter in Manhattan, where she'd stopped briefly after flying in one a private plane with an American pilot named Ken. She'd made her way to the city of Iráklion on the island of Crete, and had met him and found that he was returning home, to America, from Greece.

He'd been a godsend, agreeing to drop her at New York when he stopped for fuel, before returning to Oakridge, Tennessee, which he called home. She'd told him she was Ann Smith, and he'd raised an eyebrow at the bland name, as well as her torn and tattered clothing, but hadn't said anything.

Then she'd hopped a bus to Rochester, traveled backwards to Jamestown, then to Auburn, then to Ithaca, and all the way up to Plattsburg before finally traveling to Port Charles.

She was exhausted and soaked now, as she knocked frantically on the door before her. She'd stopped at a phone booth, and she'd looked up the address. She hoped desperately that either Mac or Felicia would be home, but no one answered. Then she heard noise behind her, in the driveway, and looked around hurriedly for somewhere to hide, ducking into the bushes, getting mud all over her and her skirt torn by the branches.

"How was Maria's?" She heard Felicia ask, and, feeling very foolish for ducking for cover, she slowly stood up and walked out in front of Felicia and her two girls, soaked, muddied, tattered, but very much alive, took off her sunglasses, and looked at her old friend.

"I need your help."

"A...Anna..." Felicia looked stunned for a moment, though when she'd hear Faison was alive she'd known it was possible. Without another word, she dropped her luggage and quickly embraced her old friend. "You're alive..."

Danielle's
Room

Danielle swept the room quickly for listening or filming devices and found none. She poked her head out and nodded at Robin. "It's clean. Come on." She said simply, and Robin entered swiftly. "You should feel lucky, being able to leave your room, especially with security tightening around here."

"Yes. I'm charmed," Robin said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Did my mother really escape?"

"Yes. But don't say a word to anyone. Not anyone, you hear me?" She stated, and Robin nodded.

"How did she escape?"

"By boat... But there was a storm, and she may have... She might not have made it, though I pray she did. She's our best hope."

"Where are we?" Robin asked.

"I'm not sure. I had no clue until a few days ago," she said simply. "When they brought us here, we weren't allowed to know where the island was. But now I think we may be on a Cassadine Island?"

"What?" Robin asked, confused. "Why do you think that?"

"Because Faison's partner is Stefan Cassadine, and several times Faison has referred to the island as Stefan's. The only questions now are whether it is a known Cassadine Island, or an unknown one, and which one of course. The WSB is looking into it, but the Cassadines own many small islands, several in Greece, some in the Pacific, and three in the West Indies. The climates are so similar, I'm not sure where we are."

"You're WSB?"

"Yes." She pauses. "My name is not really Danielle Du Leona. It's Danielle Donely. My father is Sean Donely. You know him, I believe?"

"Yes." Robin pauses, estimating that the girl is as old as she is. "He is your father?"

"Yes. And," she said, skipping ahead. "Before you ask, my mother is dead. Her name was Solange. She was from the South of France. It worked out nicely, in this case. I used her maiden name." She explained. "I fit in for one of Faison's housemaids perfectly, being an orphaned, simple girl from a small town in Southern France." She added.

Scorpio-Jones
House

"I don't believe this," Felicia breathed after hearing Anna's story. She hurried to the phone.

"Who are you calling?"

"Mac and the WSB. They have to be notified." Felicia said simply. "We have to get Robin, Robert, and Lucky off that island." She paused. "And I have to call Luke too."

"You can't call anyone," Anna said frantically. "Well, you can't say anything over the phone. It's not safe. Where's Mac?"

"He's still in Paris."

Anna sighed. She paused. "Luke... That's Luke Spencer, right? He's still in town isn't he?" She asked.

"Yes. I have to tell him Lucky is alive. Laura too."

"Don't tell Laura yet. Just call Luke. Ask him to come over here, as soon as possible. He can help us."

"All right," Felicia agreed, nodding and going to the phone again.

Jax's
Penthouse

"Jerry, I'm perfectly fine. Really, I am." Jax protested, trying to get a word in edgewise.

"No, you're not," Jerry said, shaking his head. "You're heartbroken that you lost her, and we both know it, little brother. Why won't you at least admit it to me?"

"Alexis and I both saw this coming for a long time," Jax said simply. "It's fine. I'm moving on."

"With that insipid, blond designer?" Jerry asked, rolling his eyes.

"Chloe happens to be a charming and interesting woman, and I happen to enjoy her company."

"I'm sure you do," Jerry commented wryly. "She's very pretty, and she probably makes a magnificent arm-piece. I know the type very well." He said pointedly. "And they're a lovely breed of women. But I know for a fact that after you've been in love with a woman of substance---a woman like Bobbie, like Brenda, or like Alexis---that kind of woman will never do for long."

"First of all, you don't know Chloe at all," Jax told Jerry. "And second of all, why am I the victim here? Alexis and I mutually ended our marriage."

"You only say that because you're in love with her, and you don't want us to hate her---and we don't. We all adore Alexis. I just don't know why on earth she'd decide that she'd rather be with Ashton than you."

"That's not what happened," Jax protested. "She didn't just run off..." He sighed. "We discussed this. It just wasn't working."

"It seemed like it was. You looked happier than I'd ever seen you, and Alexis didn't exactly look tortured, herself," Jerry commented. "Whatever really happened, you two may still be able to work through it. You didn't just grow apart---you weren't even married a year."

"We never should've been married in the first place," Jax said simply. "It happened in Vegas. I was still mourning Brenda, and she had just recently broken up with Ned... We'd been trapped together in the desert... It wasn't a good foundation. It wasn't strong and real."

"But you loved her. Everyone could see that you two were wonderful together, and you still love her now, don't you?" Jerry challenged, catching Jax off-guard.

It was the one question he'd hoped to avoid. Because the answer was a hard one that he'd just realized himself. "Yes, Jerry, I love Alexis." Jax said quietly. "But she's happier without me, so will you, please, just leave it alone?"

Jerry sighed, but after a long moment he nodded. "I didn't come here to meddle in your life... Not really. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. Mom, Dad, and I all knew there was more to the story." He said softly. He paused. "I just don't understand how you can just let her go like you are."

"Because, Jerry, I never had her to begin with," he said, sighing. He paused. "Sit down, mate. It's a long story."

Rome, Italy: A Suite,
Hassler Villa Hotel

"Mmm... I can't believe I have to leave tomorrow and go take care of ELQ business in Paris," Ned murmured, as he curled up beside Alexis and kissed her again. He paused. "Anywhere else you want to go in Rome. Tonight's your last chance." He said, flashing a dimpled smile.

"If I see one more tourist sight..." She trailed off with a smile. "But thank you, this trip was wonderful."

"Yeah. It was." He agreed. "But I should be the one thanking you, for distracting me for a while. I feel lighter than I have since..." He trailed off. "In a long time."

"I know it hurt you," Alexis said quietly, "when you heard that AJ was shot. I know you're afraid he might die. You can't fool me, Ned. You're worried sick, and we both know it."

He didn't say anything in reply, just kissed her again for a long moment. "So, do you have to get back to Port Charles right away?"

"Why?"

"I thought maybe you could come with me, to Paris... But if you're busy..." He started.

"I actually am." She said softly. "But I'm not going back to Port Charles. There's a...Cassadine matter I have to check into. One of our islands, Melpomene is being used for something. No ships can seem to get in or out. I've got to find a way on it."

"What?" He was startled. "No," He shook his head, his voice vehement. "You're not going to try to get onto some island that ships can't dock at or leave. That's crazy." He said, visibly shaken. "What happens if you can't get off? What if they catch you?" He sighed. "And why would you do this, anyway?"

"I promised Nikolas."

"Nikolas actually thinks this is a good idea?" Ned asked, bewildered. "And, besides, I thought you were through with the Cassadines."

"I was; no, I am through with the Cassadines, most of them anyway, but I'm not through with Nikolas." She said simply. "And he doesn't exactly know I'm going to be on Melpomene, but he knows I'm investigating it after I leave Rome."

"And there's no way you can investigate any other way?" Ned asked, and she shook her head. He sighed. "Then let me come with you." He said softly.

"No," She said firmly, shaking her head. "You're busy. You have meetings all day in Paris, and you have to get back to Port Charles soon. You can't put your life on hold for me, certainly no more than you already have for this trip." She said simply. "Besides, you're right. It is dangerous. And," she hesitated. "You have a little girl, Ned. She needs you. And so does your family. I can take care of myself. If I have to worry about you, I'll just get sloppy."

He closed his eyes for a moment. "Fine, fine..." He sighed and opened them. "But you can't go alone." He paused. "I can't believe I'm saying this but--- Will you at least call Jax? You need someone to watch your back. Let him do it, if you won't let me."

"You want me to ask Jax for help?" Alexis asked, smiling and raising an eyebrow.

"Don't rub it in," Ned said, sighing. He paused. "I want to go with you myself, but with him, well, it would be better than you going alone, at least."

"All right," Alexis said, shrugging. "I'll postpone my trip a day or two, and call Jax to see what he says about it." She paused. "Does that offer to accompany you to Paris still stand?" She asked with a smile. "I'll call him from there."

"You're always welcome to follow me anywhere," Ned teased with a smile, though he still wasn't thrilled with the idea of her going to Melpomene. But at least now he had some more time to try and talk her out of it.

Scorpio-Jones
House

"Is something wrong, Felicia?" Luke asked, seeing the expression on her face when she opened the door.

"Yes and no. Something's wrong, but it can still be set right---which is more than I knew a day ago. Come on in. You'll see." She said simply. He did, and Anna stood up from her place on the couch.

"Hello, Luke. How have you been?"

"Anna... Oh, my God... You're alive." He said, shocked. "Wait. Does that mean that Robert---"

"He's alive too. And," she paused. "I met your son a few weeks ago, the night before I escaped. Lucky is a fine young man, from what I can tell."

"You mean..."

"Yes," Felicia cut in, putting a hand on Luke's shoulder and smiling up at him. "He's alive---he's alive, Luke."

Mercy
Hospital

"You look exhausted, Monica." Carly said softly. "Alan's right. You have to go home and get some sleep. I'll stay with AJ. You know I'll call if something happens." She promised.

"Come on, Mon. Just come home, grab something to eat, and get a few hours of sleep." Alan said firmly. "You've been spending all your time here and at GH for weeks."

"At least I didn't go AWOL for most of that time," she shot back. "I don't believe you, Alan. If you really want to help, go in there and sit with him."

"I've sat with a comatose son before, Monica. It didn't do him any damn good." Alan said, sighing. "What happens, happens. I can't affect it by sitting there. And I can't go sit there, I don't know how to do that... He's the only son I have left. I don't want to see him like that."

"I can't believe never realized you were such a coward." Monica said coldly.

"Maybe I am a coward, but this is the best way I can deal with this. And I don't think making yourself sick is any better." He said softly, leaving on that note.

"He's right, you know. Making yourself sick won't help AJ." Carly said softly.

"You know, when you just said that, you kind of... You reminded me of Bobbie." Monica commented softly.

"Thank you." Carly said sincerely. "That's probably the nicest thing you've said to me, ever." She smiled. "Just go home for a few hours. I'll call, I promise. And I won't leave his side."

"I know you won't." Monica said softly. "I'll be back by lunchtime." She said firmly, and Carly smiled, knowing she had won.

"Good. You can bring me something to eat." Carly said with a half-smile.

"Count on it."

WSB Headquarters,
Paris. Sean Donely's Office

"Hello, Mac." Sean said, forcing a smile as he stood up to greet him. "I'm sorry I couldn't meet with you until now. I've been busy... I'm sure you understand."

"Have you found anything?" Mac asked, ignoring the greeting.

"Well, we've got a few leads," he stated, pausing. "We think it is a Cassadine Island. This is classified, I'm sure you understand. Breathe a word of it to anyone, and your brother and niece may be killed."

"Robert's alive?" Mac asked, hopefully. "What about Anna?"

"We're not sure anymore." Sean said softly. "Our contact on the island, who is essentially a prisoner herself... They're very secretive. Their servants don't even know where they are." He explained. "You see, our contact on the island helped Anna escape, in hopes that she could know the general area that way... But there was an unexpected storm, and... We've lost contact with Anna. But that could just mean she's lying low."

"You said a Cassadine Island. Aren't they from Greece?"

"Yes, but there are Cassadines Islands in Greece, in the West Indies, and in the Pacific. They could be anywhere."

"How are we going to find them, then?" Mac asked.

"We're working on it. For now, you just have to keep sitting tight, Mac. I know it's hard, but Faison knows you're looking. He's watching you. I can't let you be too involved."

Jax's
Penthouse

"It was all fake?" Jerry asked, stunned. "But it couldn't have been--- You two were so perfect together."

"I suppose we were, and so were Ned and Chloe---as faux couples at least. We all fooled the whole town," Jax said, sighing. "This would've never happened if I had just proposed to Chloe like I should've, before Ned could step in and ruin things. It's his fault you know. I ought to steal Alexis from him just for all the damn trouble he put us all through. It'd serve him right."

"Then why don't you?" Jerry said pointedly. "If she makes you happy, why don't you go after her. You said you love her."

"I do." Jax said, his voice strained. "But I wasn't supposed to. I was not supposed to fall in love with Alexis."

"Does she know?"

"No," Jax said quickly. "At least I don't think so. I certainly never told her. I gave her the divorce papers, neat, tidy, in order, and signed. We told you and Mom and Dad. And she flew off to Rome with Ned." He sighed. "No, she doesn't know."

"Do you think it would matter if she did?" Jerry asked softly. "Maybe all you have to do is tell her."

"And what will that do, Jerry?" Jax asked. "All it will do is present confusion into her life. We're friends. She's happy with Ned."

"So, what...? You're just going to concede that she's better off with Ashton and forget what you want?"

"Yeah. That's exactly what I'm going to do," Jax said firmly. "Alexis doesn't need to be caught in the middle of anything. She needs stability and happiness--- She deserves them. She hasn't had the easiest life," he said softly. "And if she can find what she needs with Ned, then I'm not going to interfere."

Scorpio-Jones
House

"Well, then, I'm on the first plane to Paris," Luke said with a smile. "We're gonna beat this guy."

"We have to," Anna said grimly.

"Here," Felicia scribbled a number hastily. "Is the number for Mac's cell phone. And here," she jotted down another one. "Is Sean Donely's number. His and Tiffany's home number." She added. "And here," she put down one last number. "Is the number for WSB headquarters in Paris. Ask for Sean or Agent Du Noir. Agent Du Noir is the head of the Paris branch."

"Okay. I've got it. I'll call you two, in code of course--- Ooh, espionage... Makes me think of the good, old days." Luke said with a grin. "I'll call within a few days. Just sit tight."

"Good luck." Felicia said softly, and he smiled.

"Yeah, yeah... Because I'm the last hope---the only hope. The survival of the nation, no the world, no the galaxy---" He teased.

"Just go deliver the damn message," Anna said with a smile. "And call us ASAP."

"And the unappreciated hero leaves without another word," Luke said with a grin, in good spirits to think that his son and best friend were alive.