Chapter Four
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The Venture
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They have been planning this move for a long time, but their father never saw merit in making it in previous years. He didn't believe it something for him to accomplish. After much consideration, he allowed them to continue their planning, regardless of whether or not he agrees to put it into motion. Something her brother hadn't cared to do if it would only end up a huge waste of time, but she got him to see reason long enough to work on it with her. With the implementation happening so soon, she wonders if he knew his time was coming to an end. She wouldn't put it past the old man, he seemed to know things before they occurred, even going as far as to say he had seen her coming. Not her in particular but someone of her caliber entering his family and, in the end, he was glad that it was her.

"Hey, kid." Johnny voices with a slight smirk. "You ready to blow this joint?"

"Just about." Elizabeth replies, sliding into her coat. "You hear from Claudia yet?"

"She called early this morning." Johnny confirms. "She wants to hear about the move once we get settled."

"I'll keep that in mind." she replies with a slight smile before turning to look at the emptied room.

"What's got you in a pause?"

"I've never had to deal with this feeling before." she says on a soft tone. "A feeling of missing my home."

"We're not selling the place, Liz." he says as he walks over to sling his arm across her shoulders. "Its still our place. Promise."

"I know." she sighs, turning to look at him before giving him a single nod. "I'm ready."

"Take a minute." he counters before kissing her forehead and pulling away. "I still have some stuff to load into the car before we head to the airport. You can come out when you're ready."

"Thanks, J."

Turning away from her brother, she sits down in the middle of the room as he walks out the door, a sinking feeling in her stomach that has her believing she just might not ever see this place again. With the way things are going with the business, its uncertain of whether or not she'll ever make her way back to this place. Taking in a deep breath, she takes a moment to just exist in that place, in the girl she is in that very moment. She will get it done. She will do what must be done. There are people that need to pay for the damage they had done and others who will soon see the true power of the Zacchara family.

Johnny had been putting the last of his things in the car when the front door opened up and in its place stood his sister. In that moment, as her eyes met his, he knew that she was ready for what they were about to do. A slight smirk on his lips, he walks over to the passenger door and pulls it open for her, giving her a single nod when she gets to him. There's a lot for them to do and it was bound to test them in many ways. No matter what comes their way, however, he knows that they can weather it together.

Boarding the plane, Elizabeth goes into full planning mode, wanting to leave nothing to chance. She has already sent four teams to Port Charles ahead of them. One to secure the airport, their apartments, the club where they'll be hosting their introduction to town, and the building where they'll be housing their main offices. They'll have more men flown in through the end of the month while leaving enough in place there to ensure their assets that remains will still be secured.

"Fair Elizabeth." Jackal says in a hushed tone as he drops into the seat beside her. "Don't you think it wise to take a slumber during your venture to the forsaken town?"

"I have a few more details to iron out before we land." Elizabeth says, tilting the laptop so he can see what she was talking about. "I have to finalize the orders for the introduction."

"The Jackal will be more than happy to do such trivial tasks." Jackal suggests. "It would be of no trouble, truly."

"I appreciate that, really, I do." Elizabeth smiles softly. "But this one's on me. You'll have enough to do once we land."

"The Jackal just worries about the Fair Elizabeth with all she has burdened herself with." Jackal points out, trying not to bring up what they had agreed to forget, but it was still hard for him to do so. "We are entering into dangerous waters and the Jackal merely wants to ensure the Fair Elizabeth is well rested for the treacherous path ahead."

"I'm fine, honestly, Spinelli." Elizabeth assures him, sliding her hand over his. "I appreciate you looking out for me, but I know the kind of life I left behind. I'll be okay."

"If you are certain, then the Jackal accepts." Jackal responds with a slight smile. "You are the only true friend the Jackal has...I hope the Fair Elizabeth understands what that entails in the grand scheme of things."

"I love you, too, Spinelli." Elizabeth assures him, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. "And you won't lose me. I promise you."

"That is but music to the Jackal's ears." Jackal chuckles. "Maybe the Jackal will partake in a brief slumber if you are truly certain you do not need the Jackal conscious."

"Sleep." she says with a slight smile, releasing her hold on his hand to grab a blanket from the seat next to her and handing it to him. "I'll wake you when we land."

Watching as he settles into the seat before closing his eyes and drifting off into a deep slumber, Elizabeth lets the smile remain on her face as she returns to the task at hand, having grown to appreciate having Spinelli in her life more than she had ever thought she would. Meeting him had been by chance, her father having caught him trying to screw with his organization on the orders of another family, but she was able to stop her father from killing Spinelli where he stood.

***FLASHBACK***

"He tried to take from this family!" Anthony shouts, anger flooding his being. "He tried to take from your inheritance. Your future!"

"But he's just a kid, dad, please." Elizabeth pleaded, trying her best to get him to see reason. "He just needs guidance. Please."

"Why do you care if I end this sorry excuse of a man?" Anthony counters eyeing his daughter firmly. "What does this kid mean to you?"

"He's scared, terrified even. Clearly he doesn't want to be here. This couldn't have been his choice." Elizabeth says as she stands between her father and Spinelli. "I know that life. I know what that's like. Please, for me, spare him. Please, father, grant me this much."

"If this is what you want, so be it, but understand what it means for you to save him." Anthony says seriously. "You save a life, you're responsible for it. Are you ready for that?"

"I...I understand." Elizabeth takes a deep breath before shaking her head. "I accept."

"Very well." Anthony turns his back on them. "Take him from my sight."

***FLASHBACK END***

Her father had explained the moment to her on her birthday that year, saying that he had been testing her reserve, her ability to make choices that couldn't be undone. She took responsibility of another person and she made the choice to spare a life rather than take it. Though he appreciates her sentimentality, he reminded her that she couldn't save everyone. That some people just weren't worth saving. She told him that she understood that, but she wouldn't make that choice until she was certain they weren't worth saving. And she hadn't met anyone unworthy of saving until she met the she-devil herself.

"Port Charles." she whispers to herself as she stares out the window at the approaching town. "Finally."

Her brother's hands slide onto her shoulders as he leans in to whisper, "Lets give 'em hell."

"Damn straight."

Note: Finally they arrive in town...what happens next? We shall see...