Chapter Twenty-One

Ric Lansing always thought of himself as a rather brillant and savvy lawyer. As the District Attorney of Port Charles, he was more than happy to take on the criminal elements in the city in effort of making the city a safe and productive environment for her citizens. If it managed to put his long estranged brother and mob boss Sonny Corinthos behind bars in the process, well that was just a nice bonus.

He counted it a personal coup that Jason Morgan was no longer Sonny's enforcer, though a small nagging voice in his head often reminded him that nothing he had actually done truly affected Morgan. However, he was more than willing to accept the kudos from the mayor and all the affluent members of Port Charles society for a job well done, as long as it got him re-elected.

Now it was just a matter of time until all of his plans were realized. He would have inside information that was damaging enough to put Sonny in prison for the rest of his life and Jason Morgan would no longer be around to remind him of failure. All he had to do was keep his mouth shut, follow orders and forget the conscience that he tried so hard to kill.

At the moment, escorting what should be a dead corspe through the back entrance of the MetroCourt Hotel was making it extremely difficult.

There was some philosophical saying about selling your soul, somehow he wished he'd heard it before the mistake he made just after passing his bar exam.

Where had he gone wrong? Growing up in the Lansing household hadn't been a picnic with a mother who hated the sight of him and a father who couldn't be bothered. As a child he didn't understand what he'd done wrong, why his parents couldn't love him. It wasn't until he discovered that the woman he believed was his mother in actuality wasn't that he started to understand. Her anger, Ric could almost sympathize with. He was a constant reminder of a husband's infidelity.

His father's near animostiy was a mystery. Even after learning the history of Adela and Trevor's affair, he still couldn't understand why his father didn't love him. If his father loved Adela, he should have cherished her son, right?

He thought he had over come all of those thoughts of unworthiness. He was smart, graduated top of his class, a shiny rising star in the legal field. Still his father wasn't proud, only disappointed. Trevor Lansing's harsh words rang in his ears most of that night he recieved his scores from the bar exam. Long past the several beers he had consumed to dull his pain, and the pity he had buried himself in that night in the back of the tavern.

Then the man had strolled over to his booth and asked to join him. Middle aged at late thirties, early fourties, the man wore an expensive Saville Row suit, Alan Edmonds shoes polished to a perfect gleam and dark hair neatly styled. He had been the epitome of upper class businessman that his father liked to fawn over.

At first Ric figured he was being hit on, it wasn't like it hadn't happened before. Rather than waste words of kindess, or a simple brush off of disinterest, he had turned a snarl on the man, only to be halted in his tracks when he caught the glimspe of intensity in the man's eyes.

Ric would often look back and know he had witnessed pure evil that night.

It seemed a certain law firm had heard of his talents, his drive and determination, and thought they could form a beneficial association. Ric had turned the man down, he already had a position waiting for him at a prestigious firm. The man countered first with a ridiculous salary, with perks and benefits that made him gawk like a school girl and a promised fast track to partner. It was too good to be true, and he told the mystery man so.

Then the man narrowed in on his weakness, his father, his true mother's identity, the brother he never knew and information about them both offered up on a silver platter.

Too drunk to wonder how the man knew so much about him, Ric had snatched the offer up before he realized his mistake.

It wasn't until he was in too deep that he discovered just what he had allowed his anger and hatred to draw him into. And he was forced to learn a bitter lesson.

No one left Wolfram and Heart. Not even in death.

Ric slid the plastic key card into the lock, listening for it's click and pushed the door to the penthouse suite open. He turned back to the figure draped in the black robe, face concealed by the hood for which he was immensly glad. He didn't want to look into those eyes anytime soon. Except he knew that plea was falling on deaf ears. Any hopes he might have had withered and died the morning his previous administrative assistant called him as if she were reminding him of a meeting he had to attend and not as if he had run from Wolfram and Heart years ago.

He almost reached up to touch the petite figure's shoulder and felt an icy pain touch his fingertips. It was more than just cold. It was a sense of darkness and death seeping under his skin, working it's way through his bloodstream straight to his heart. Quickly folding his fingers away, he gestured, "Come in," watching as it seemed to glide across the floor.

It went straight to the large window, as if drawn to the lights of the city below. While Ric glanced back at the beautiful woman who had accompanied them. His watch dog. Or would master be the better comparison, for she was the one who would tug on the leash around his neck if he tried to do anything other than follow orders.

"Are you coming in or not?"

"Don't be angry Ric, I'm not the one who tried to find a conscious. You knew exactly what you were getting into when you signed those contracts. I can't help it if you decided you couldn't handle it."

What could he say to that? He couldn't protest, couldn't deny. Hell he couldn't even claim wanting to protect his reputation. Wolfram and Heart were powerful enough to make almost anything go away. Look at what they had just unleashed on the world.

"No, but you look a little afraid of her." His pride smarting enough to point out. Lilah would have been a fool not to be afraid of whatever the hell it was over on the otherside of the room.

"Afraid, yes. However, I know enough to feel relatively easy that she won't get out of line. She's powerful, but Wolfram and Heart have associates more powerful than her."

The attractive brunette stalked across the room, those were brave words but he could tell she was pissed that he had called her on her fear. With a bit of appreciation at her beauty, he watched her slide out of a wool coat and toss it on the side of a chair with an air of negligence.

"The Senior Partners will be calling with more details in the morning. For now, we are to keep her out of sight. That shouldn't be all that difficult. She needs time to regather her strength and power, the reanimation of that body and leaving the other realm, should have weakened her."

"We are not weak, foolish fleshbag."

Ric had to remember to compliment Lilah on not flinching when that horrific voice spoke up because he felt the very humilating urge to relieve himself and cry like a little girl. Lilah pasted a smile on her face and turned around with an elegance that came from years of practice. He didn't want to think of what she must have endured over the years to have perfected such a shield.

"My pardons. I didn't mean any insult. I merely-"

"SILENCE." And whatever Lilah might have intented dried up in her throat at the malvolent growl. "We have indulged you fleshbags because you called Us. Before We consume this world and bend it to Our will, We shall allow you a moments courtsey. Then We shall strip the flesh from your bones and sate Our hunger."

Ric didn't doubt the thing's threat was real. Since witnessing the body it currently occupied reanimate itself and that first horrendous scream of agony, he had been left in shock as it swiftly adapted. This made him wonder if there was anything, any humanity, left from the one who had died that the thing had ingested for it's own purposes. It was only a matter of time until it began acting upon the promises it had just uttered.

"It occurs to me," Ric began with absolutely no idea of what he would say next, anything, whatever neccessary to keep the thing's mind off-what were the words..stripping the flesh from his bones- "That this world might be a little disorienting for you. It is our duties, as emmisaries of Wolfram and Heart, to make sure your transition proceeds swiftly and smoothly as possible."

"The Wolf, The Ram and Heart," it's head tilt to the side, "They are of this world as well?"

"Yes," Lila smirked and Ric had a feeling he had just unknowingly played a trump card. "They are who summoned you."

"Hm. We shall refrain from devouring you for the moment. If We are displeased, We are certain The Wolf, The Ram and Heart, can find another who doesn't offend Us."

"Of course," Lilah nodded, "I don't know if you remember, but my name is Lilah Morgan and this is Ric Lansing. If you have any needs, we will see they are met. Might I suggest a bath and there are clothes in the closet over there for you."

"Yes, clean." It muttered, raising hands stained with blood, dirt and death, "This vessel is fouled. After We have removed the remaining taint of your mortal stench, We shall require nourishment and tribute. Bring Us twelve swaddling babes for now."

If his stomach wasn't churning with disgust before, it certainly was now. The thing had casually ordered up...he held back the urge to vomit. As if it were requesting a hamburger. "We can't-"

"Of course, as you wish."" Lilah insisted over his protest. A brow lifted, signaling he should shut up, so he lifted a hand giving her the floor. "I will draw you a bath and lay out suitable clothing for you." After performing a little bow, she left him in the room with the demon who had just moments before threatened to eat him.

A dirtied hand reached up to pull the hood away, and it would have taken a stronger man than he to not look away from those blood red eyes. The face was exactly the same as he remembered, if not a little pale and smeared with things better not thought about. Barring the voice and those eyes, it, she, was exactly the same. How in the hell was he going to look at himself in the mirror tomorrow?

How would he look at Alexis?

ooXXoo

The deep breath Jason drew into his lungs cleared his mind as he allowed the strains flowing hauntingly from the fiddle to caress him. Focus his intent. It poured into his body like the rush of a freed dam. He didn't need to touch his tongue to his canines to know they had lengthened. There was no need to open his eyes to know his vision had sharpened. For the first time ever he consciously tapped into the kitsune's energy voluntarily. The murmuring voice in his head was as always arrogant but this time held an edge of question.

What was he doing? Why?

When he had for so long held the demonic energy at bay, why was he now embracing it? He had no real answers, merely instinct. He would need this power soon. So he needed to understand it, learn to wield it, if he was going to protect those important to him.

When he had awakened this morning, his arms filled with the warmth of Cordelia, he had nuzzled closer to her neck. Taken her scent into him and felt his entire being respond. He should have been ashamed of the way he had curled around her. Protectively. Possessively. Instead he barely resisted the urge to purr smugly.

The night before he had called Kaiza, describing the changes he had undergone and how he was beginning to merge with Mura. His sensai asked how he felt about his dilema, and while he was hesitant, this didn't come as a surprise. He had known since the sealing that it would happen. He had already mentally prepared himself and Kady for the changes and what they would mean for their lives. There was just a part of him that hadn't expected so much so soon. A part that hoped Kady would be a bit older.

So he all he had left was to adapt and throughout his life, Jason Morgan was best at adapting.

With Cordelia in his arms, and arousal racing through his body, he remembered how Kaiza had laughed and warned him about kitsunes and their need to mate. Not just sex. To claim a mate. Sire kits. And he understood the desperate urge to thrust his aching cock into Cordelia's waiting warmth and sink his fangs into her neck to mark her as his. His mate.

That's when he carefully untangled himself from around her and left the bedroom.

It didn't hit him until he was in the basement preparing to workout that he hadn't dreamed of Sam. In fact, he hadn't dreamed of Sam since meeting Cordelia.

"Should I be hurt that I woke up alone?"

He hadn't been so focused on his workout that he hadn't heard her light steps, caught her unique feminine scent, and known the woman who was tempting him to madness had followed him. Pausing in the middle of a kata, he captured her hazel gaze and with his enhanced sense could hear the short hungry breath she took. Could hear her heart beat just a little faster.

She hadn't changed from her nightgown, silk that poured over her delicious curves and mocked him. His hands. His mouth. Because it was caressing all of the places he wanted to touch. Her hair was a tumble of curls, wild and dishelved, and her smile a complete tease.

"Never." It came out more of a growl but she understood him nonetheless. At his first step toward her, he heard her heart race a bit faster and allowed a smile to widen in bemusement. She licked her lips, her eyes tracing his body and he had to wonder what she saw.

He was damp with sweat, he could feel his hair sticking to his head. It took a bit of concentration, but the unfamiliar claws on his hands receeded. "There's those ears again," she teased. He was almost suspicious enough to touch them just to be sure but the wicked gleam in her eyes was all he needed to know his ears were fine.

"I think you have a thing for my ears," he finally stood before her, leaning forward a bit so that he could nuzzle the length of her jaw. Unable to resist, he licked at the soft spot just under her earlobe groaning when the scent of desire around her grew stronger.

"I think I have a thing for you," she murmured, placing trembling fingers on his shoulders and that was all the invitation he needed to invade her personal space. When he had an armful of Cordelia, her sensuous frame molded against him and her fingers sliding upward to thread into his hair he released a sigh of contentment. "You do realize you're sweaty?"

"I don't hear you complaining," he looked up from her neck with a lifted brow. "You had to know I was down here exercising when you decided to come seduce me."

"Am I seducing you? I wasn't even trying," she paused, eyes heavy lidded now with promise, "Would you like me to seduce you?"

"I don't think I could take it," that brought forth her laughter, low and throaty. "I'm about three seconds from ripping that gown off of you and taking you against the wall."

"You say the sweetest things, Jason." That made him grin this time. "Unfortunately, I heard Kady waking up when I came downstairs, so I think that quick wall bang will have to wait a while longer. I just wanted to say good morning before everyone woke up."

"I didn't mean to leave you in bed alone. I needed to think and I can do that best when I'm working out."

"Is it me?" She asked, her face suddenly serious, "I mean we've been sleeping together and I guess- uh, maybe I've been assuming."

"No," he cut off her ramble, "You haven't. I like sleeping with you. I like waking up with you."

"I know," she tucked her head into the crook of his shoulder, her fingers now tracing over his chest. "It's weird that I feel this close to you in such a short time. But I wouldn't change that." After a moment, she seemed to remember what he had said before. "So what did you have to think about?"

"Us," he told her honestly. "Being with you, merging with Mura, it's bringing out a lot of primitive instincts and I know we need time before I start staking claims and we even think about babies-"

"Babies?" Her eyes snapped open, "Yeah, I'd say those are some pretty primal instincts there buddy. Not that I mind, I'd love a baby, you know. I missed out on Connor growing up and I think I'd love to feel a baby we created growing inside me."

"And you're really not helping me right now," he reminded her.

"Oh hush, I can imagine if I want. I know we can't really think about that right now. Fighting the big bad and everything, but it is something to look forward to."

"Have you forgotten that you live in California and I live in New York. That I have a daughter and you have a son. That I'm merging with a kitsune and don't know what affects that will have in the end? Not to mention Carly, I know you haven't forgotten Carly. Her insanity will always be apart of my life and in most of my relationships she has always been a problem."

"First of all," she stopped him with a finger to his lips, "I understand Carly just fine. Besides, I wasn't the Queen C throughout high school for nothing. I can be just as big of a bitch as she can. "

"You shouldn't have to," he began again only to be cut off again.

"Carly and I will come to terms, eventually. When she realizes that I'm not trying to take anything from her. Hell, we might even be good friends. Next, hello, already told you, half demon here. Unless you turn green and scaly and start spewing putrid acid, I don't think there will be a problem. However your merging ends, you'll still be Jason."

Hearing her say that helped take the edge off of his own personal anxiety. He had been worried about who he would be in the end.

"As for Los Angeles and Port Charles, I don't know. But I think we'll figure it out in the end." She snuggled a bit closer, her breasts grazing his chest, just before she nipped his bottom lip with her teeth. Licked at one of his elongated canines. "For now, I'm going to enjoy you, and us. I'm going to get to know Kady better and you can get to know Connor. And we're going to kick some evil demon ass."

With a smile quirking at his lips, he brushed a kiss against her mouth. She moaned, deepening the caress as they explored the simmering heat that was always one taste away from burning out of control. Coaxing her lips apart, his tongue delved into her moist warmth.

Cordelia's soft moan of pleasure roused his hunger, stronger, until his already shaky emotions whirled into near madness. At her eager response, her tongue meeting his demand, he didn't stop to think. Simply reached down, gripping the silk to pull up her long legs and began walking backward.

Wrapping her legs around his waist, he braced her against the wall, allowing his hard erection that pushed against his pants to meet her wet core. Twin groans of need filled the air. Her legs tightened around him as she strained to get closer. His hips answered her heady demand, grinding into her heat, hands trembling over the silk of her thighs as their kiss spiraled quickly toward ectasy.

When he snatched his mouth away, she protested loudly, calling his name, fingers tightening in his hair. Breathing harshly, he had to release her, brace his hands against the wall before all of his good intentions went to hell in a hand basket.

"Jason," her soft pout made his heart ache. He might not be able to satisfy his own desperate hunger, but he would never leave her this way after having starting this.

"I'm sorry," he murmured, against her neck, trying to snatch back his control. "I didn't mean to start something we can't finish."

"I know," she panted, but her body squirmed against him so that he had to bite his lip. Knowing he was going to test the very limits of his restraint, he allowed his hand to slide between them. "Cordelia look at me."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he touched her wet center, caught her gasp with his mouth. "Shhh, I need you too look at me," he murmured against her lips. A finger slid deep into her, her walls contracting in response making his head spin. "I need to see you come." Those beautiful eyes widened when he found her clit, spreading her cream around her delicate skin before he began a driving rhythm that she couldn't help but surrender to.

His tongue lapped at her bottom lip, before he sighed, "You so beautiful, Cordelia. You make me ache." Her hips rose and fell, trying to meet the web of intoxicating pleasure he was carefully spinning. He took her slowly, feeling when that little nub of pleasure would swell near climax and he would pause, sliding two fingers into her wetness to pump until she was whimpering against his mouth. Then he would return to that punishing caress, until she was trembling in his arms.

"Please," she begged, accepting his tongue as it delved to ravish her mouth, "Jason."

"Shhh," he reminded her, "Almost there Cordelia, almost." The strap of her gown had worked it's way off her shoulder with all of their exertion, giving him a glimpse of one plump breast, nipple taut begging for his attention. When his mouth closed around the swollen peak, his tongue and teeth tantalizing the bud, she shrieked climaxing wildly around his fingers.

"That was," Cordelia paused, her breath still coming fast and her body damned near limp with satisfaction. "Good," she drawled the word feeling her lips curve in a smile. Lifting her head from the wall, she found Jason with his head resting against her chest. His tongue would lap gently at her breast, then he did the most erotic thing she'd ever seen. The fingers that had just teased her to a scorching orgasm were brought to his mouth as he lapped her essence from their tips.

"Perv," she teased and when Jason looked at her, he was smiling, the tips of those fangs peaking at her. And wasn't he just absolutely beautiful.

"Can I help it if you taste good," he asked as he licked his lips.

"You, we could have, but. Why?" Yes, she was stammering like an idiot. She was grateful he said nothing and also seemed to understand what she meant.

"Our first time will be in bed, not against the wall. And if I didn't hear Kady coming down stairs, I would-" but she didn't give him a chance to finish his sentence for she was shoving him away, trying to scramble down so they wouldn't be caught in such a compromising position.

It was pretty damned useless, she realized as she tried to fix her gown and still her shaking legs. That tent Jason was sporting was going to scar Kady for life. And he was just standing there, all smug and pleased with himself. The man had obviously been in complete control all the time. Except for the reaction he couldn't help. "It won't be funny when Kady opens the door and asks her Dad why he's molesting Cordy."

"Then we should probably go upstairs and change, unless you'd like for me to do that again but with my mouth this time."

For one brief second, inner Cordy jumped up and down and screamed yes, yes, yes, like those old Herbal Essences shampoo commercials. Then the part of her brain that knew he was just asking for trouble took over again. "When did you start making jokes? Jason Morgan does not make jokes."

"Who said it was a joke?"

Rather than respond, she fled up the stairs away from that gleam in his eyes, leaving the smart ass to explain his discomfort the best way he knew how.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Not many people knew this about him, but Damian Spinelli figured he was a pretty observant guy. He mostly didn't mind that he was underestimated or sometimes even ridiculed. The important thing was that he knew behind the baggy clothes, the brow lifting hats and his ever trusted laptop was more than the eye perceived. His awkwardness and nerdy behavior, merely a mask that allowed him to view situations where many wouldn't consider him a threat.

Take his nicknames for example. Or Spinellisms as Stone Cold liked to call them. Each one was remarkably perceptive if a person took the time to look underneath the underneath. For those he cared for, he kept their monikers slightly impersonal. Like Jason, who was like an older brother to him, Spinelli knew there was more to the man he liked to call mentor than his indifferent steely exterior. While the Valkyrie could sometimes be the very personification of her name.

So as he gazed out the window observing the object of his unrequited affection, Spinelli knew the Blonde One was upset from the very beginning of the conversation with her two fraternal figures. He didn't need to hear their words, but merely glimpse the tension in her shoulders, the frown creasing her profile.

He could ponder a guess at what had the two men so upset, mainly the Blonde One's current choice of residence. He wasn't often one to judge, but sometimes the hypocrites of Port Charles could be very troublesome. If they knew how often Stone Cold protected them, perhaps they would be less likely to call him a cold blooded killer.

It was ironic that neither man could see that the harder they pushed to make her do something, the more Lulu dug in her heels and resisted. He had heard from the Valkyrie once that it was a supposed Spencer family trait. It certainly must have skipped over her older brother Lucky. Yes, he mentally congratulated himself on his restraint in not calling Lucky one of the more choice names that often echoed through his head.

"Whatcha lookin' at kid?"

"Oh, well, you see Pale Rider, the Jackal is currently observing the Blonde One's most tense interactions with her two fraternal units."

"Kid, you kill me," Dean grinned and Spinelli could see that he wasn't laughing at him like so many people did. "So if I can decifer what you just said, Lulu is outside arguing with her brothers?"

A smile spread across his face at the accuracy, "The Pale Rider is most wise."

"Yeah, well, don't go spreading that around," Dean snorted. "So what's the deal with those two?"

"They have certain issues with Stone Cold and so are probably hounding the Blonde One with warnings of doom and dire consequences if she continues to remain under this roof and not return to a more safe and proper domicile with one of them."

"Hn," Dean squinted, placing his hands at his waist as he continued to look outside.

As the arguement escalated, emphasized by the Blonde One's gesturing and the way her hair floated in a icy breeze. There was never a moment where he felt more helpless and lacking in the brute strength department than this. If he were more like Stone Cold, he could go outside and defend the Blonde One. He longed for a time when he would have the right words or have her brothers look at him with respect and maybe a bit of fear like they would Stone Cold.

"Sammy, looks like we have some trouble here."

The scene changed before their eyes as Lulu turned to storm back to the house and Lucky grabbed her arm and tried forcibly pulling her toward Dean was moving toward the door, ripping it open with Sam rising and barely four steps behind Dean from where he had been sitting on the couch with Madam Mina doing research. His anxiety level shot of several steps all things considered.

Dean and Sam were two Hunter's of the most choice lethalness, combine that with the Impaler, the Kick-Ass Slayer and Stone Cold who were currently downstairs sparing, the Blonde One's brothers were probably in for more trouble than they realized. He only wished he were apart of that trouble.

ooXXoo

The confrontation was inevitable from the night she had stormed away from Lucky and come home with Jason. It didn't matter how often she phoned in to the Quartermaines to say she was okay, now they were perfectly okay with her staying with Jason for a while now that he wasn't working for Sonny. It wasn't that she didn't understand how Lucky and Nikolas felt but at some point her brothers were going to have to accept that she was an adult and perfectly capable of making decisions of her own.

So it came as no surprise when she had opened the door and found her brothers on the other side with looks of disappointment and concern mixed with a bit of anger. Instead of inviting them in so they could embarass her in front of everyone, she decided to have the coming fight in the front yard.

Yes, she made mistakes and had to live with the consequences of them but no matter how much they tried to police her life, it was just that. Her life. She knew they felt guilty, but smothering her under the guise of protecting her was getting a little irritating. Besides, what did they honestly think was going to happen here at Jason's house? That the two of them were going to start some crazy affair and Jason would get her pregnant again?

Ordinarily, she might not have argued with them. Though she loved spending time with Kady and Spinelli, she could see them anytime around Port Charles. No, it was the fact that she had fallen into something important that made her resist their chiding eyes and cold words complaining of her immature behavior. If only they knew, especially about Jason, but no one here at this cottage did the things that awed her for recognition. They didn't need citations from the city for bravery and they didn't even get paid for it. The guys from LA did have a detective agency though to hear Spike tell it, they didn't get paid more often than they did.

And she found she wanted to be apart of this. For the first time she felt like she was doing something worth while. Waitressing or any of the other busy jobs she'd taken left her feeling as if she were wasting time. Helping to find this demon, saving the world, this felt right. As if she'd finally found her place in the scheme of things. It was true all she did so far was read a lot of books about things she barely understood, but with time maybe she could really get into the thick of things. Fighting the good fight, Faith called it.

Maybe this was another latent Spencer gene. She couldn't recall how many times she'd heard the story about her father saving the world from the Cassadines.

If she thought they would believe her, she would explain why it was so important for her to be here. What hurt the most, is that they didn't trust her choice at all.

"Look, Lulu," she blinked slowly, trying to calm down because losing her temper was getting her no where. Lucky had a stubborn look on his face that she had seen before. If only he would use that tenacity to deal with his own problems and not hers. "You're going to go home with me or Nikolas tonight and that's final."

"I'm only going to say this one more time. I'm an adult Lucky. You may not like my choices, but they are mine to make-"

"We're just trying to protect you Lulu," Nikolas interrupted and while he might not be a Spencer he had his own mile wide stubborn streak. "I don't know why you won't tell us why it's so important to you to stay out here, but you have to know hanging around Jason Morgan is dangerous."

And he had a look on his face that she didn't understand. Nikolas had to know from Emily that Jason no longer worked for Sonny. So what was the deal? Did he know what Jason did when the sun went down?

"I understand but you have to accept that I'm not going to do what you want everytime you disagree with me. Look, tomorrow afternoon we can meet at Kelly's for lunch and you'll see for yourselves that I'm perfectly fine."

"No, Lulu," Lucky ground out between gritted teeth. "You're not staying in that house one more night. You're coming home with us right now. I know you think you know what you're doing but this is for your own good."

Then Lucky surprised her, grabbing her arm in a punishing grip trying to drag her to the car. "Lucky let me go," she demanded, tugging at his hold, shocked even more when it twisted cruelly and he pulled even harder.

"No! If you can't see reason, then it's our responsibility to protect you from yourself. Since Dad can't be bothered, off somewhere on one of his adventures, it's up to us to keep you in line."

"Keep me in line?" she flashed him a look of disdain, "You can't even control your drug addiction and you're going to keep me in line?" Never had she been so disappointed in Lucky.

"This isn't about me," he panted, giving her arm a quick jerk so that the heels she had dug into the ground loosened and she almost fell forward. "This is about you Lulu and your bad decisions."

"And I guess loading up on pills is your idea of a good one," she yanked hard but found the hand around her arm a lot stronger than she would have thought he would use on her. Lucky was her brother, she never thought he would resort to physically hurting her to get his way. It only showed how far he sank in his abuse.

Nikolas seemed to wake from his own shock because he stepped between them, shoving a hand into Lucky's chest, forcing him to release his grip. She stumbled back a bit before straighting to run back to the house. Nikolas's hand closed gently around hers, stopped her. "Lulu please, wait."

"No! Did you see what he just did?" she bristled with rage, "It looks like Lucky needs you butting into his life more than I do Nikolas."

"Let's just go back to Wyndemere and talk about this calmly. You don't understand-"

"Alright. Now where I come from when a man puts his hand on a woman, that means he's asking to lose a few teeth."

Lulu had to smile at that cocky voice. Even though she was furious with her brothers, that mocking tone in Dean's voice brought a small wave of relief. When she turned to tell him that everything was okay, a shiver of nervousness slid down her spine. Though his voice had a tinge of humor, his eyes blazed with anger aimed in Lucky's direction.

Followed closely behind him was Sam, gone was his usual kind expression as well. She could see how these two were the Hunters they claimed to be. A quick look to his left brought her face to face with Spinelli, and believe it or not, his anger was just as inflamed as the Winchester brothers.

"It's okay, Dean," she reassured him, ignorning the looks of disbelief of her brothers. "I'm okay. Lucky and Nikolas were just leaving."

"Who are they?" Lucky accusing voice stabbed the air, then he turned seething eyes back to her, "Tell me you're not sleeping with him and that's why you insist on staying here."

"Lucky!"

"The Pale Rider would never be disloyal to his Saving Grace," Spinelli sputtered, yet his cold disgust of Lucky quite obvious. "And you insult the Blonde One with your cruel words."

"Shut up, Spinelli, this has nothing to do with you."

"On the contrary," Dean countered, "I'd say the kid here has a point. Now, from what I hear, you're Lulu's brothers and I can't fault you for trying to protect your little sister, but you look high as a kite man." Then he turned to Nikolas, "I'd say you have your hands full with this one."

"I don't need you to tell me how to look out for my family." Nikolas stared with haughty rebuke that Lulu put down to that Prince thing.

"No, but if that one puts his hands on Lulu again, I can guarantee that he'll be sleeping off that high he's riding for the rest of the night and waking up with some nasty bruises in the morning."

"I'm a cop! Are you threatening a cop? I could arrest you for assault."

"Oh, I'm really afraid," Dean snorted and nudged his brother in the side, "He's a cop, Sammy. Well, I'll just tuck my tail between my legs and go on back inside while you abuse your little sister because I wouldn't want to be arrested now would I? Would that be before or after I kick your ass?"

"Dean," Sam, shook his head but Lulu could see him trying to hide a smile.

"There's no need to fear arrest, Pale Rider, for Stone Cold has the legal expertise at the touch of a phone to counter any charges Lucky might bring against you."

Both men looked at Spinelli in shock, "What no name for him?"

"No names that wouldn't hurt the Blonde One's feelings," Spinelli murmured, looking away guiltily.

That brought on husky laughter with Sam at least looking abashed while Dean practically howled with it. Sam recovered first, stepping forward to extend a hand to Nikolas, "Name's Sam Winchester, this is my brother Dean. We're friends of Jason Morgan."

"That's not exactly a good recomendation," Lucky's face was a glowering mask of rage now but she could tell from the perspiration on his forehead, that glazed look in his eyes that Dean's assertion was right. Lucky was using. She had tried to deny what her heart was telling her.

"Says the mushroom muncher." Dean muttered.

Nikolas reluctantly shook Sam's hand, manners so deeply ingrained he couldn't blatantly ignore the polite gesture. "Nikolas Cassadine, and Lucky Spencer, we're Lulu's brothers. You can understand why we want her to come home."

"Certainly, however, I don't understand why you believe there is a threat to Lulu's safety. We're just inside hanging out, getting ready to eat dinner."

"A most delectable assortment of munchies," Spinelli smiled, "All prepared by the lovely Miranda's talented hands."

"Right," Sam chuckled, "So if you'd like to come in, maybe join us to see for yourself that Lulu isn't in any danger, I'm sure Jason wouldn't mind."

No, Lulu thought to herself, Jason wouldn't like Lucky or Nikolas' presence. He tolerated Nikolas because Emily was in love with him, but given the way Lucky was currently trashing his life, Jason had lost all respect he had for her brother. The last thing she would do was subject them all to suffering through a tension filled dinner. Maybe it was best if she went home.

"Look, I'll just go," she said quietly, drawing their attention. "It's not like I was doing anything important anyway."

"Of course you were," Sam placed a gentle hand to her shoulder.

"No really, it's okay. I don't want to be the cause of all of this trouble."

"The Blonde One could never be related to problem status. You've been very helpful."

"Lulu," Nikolas sighed, "You really want to be here?" And when she looked into his dark eyes, she saw that he knew exactly what Jason did now that he wasn't working for Sonny. There was concern for her well being and anxiety that she was getting involved but there was also a fragile understanding. And lastly a tired contempt for Lucky, which was forcing him to back down rather than deal with the fight Lucky was determined to start.

"What? What are you saying? Nikolas you can't be thinking of letting her stay here."

"Be quiet Lucky." his voice simmered with barely checked annoyance. "Lulu?"

"Yes." She answered, "I really want to be here."

He watched her in silence for a long time, then looked at Dean, Sam and Spinelli. "If anything, and I mean anything, happens to her."

"We never protect the women and children first," Dean mocked, earning a shove from his brother.

"Children?" Then Nikolas shook his head, "I don't want to know." He leaned over and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "You're right. We don't have the right to police your life or to try to tell you what you can or can't do. They are your choices and you're an adult now. Just," he paused frowning, then released a heavy breath, "Just be careful Lulu. And call me if you need me. For anything, you hear? No matter what."

"I hear you," she smiled. "Thank you Nikolas."

"Don't thank me because I don't like this but I'm trusting you to know how to take care of yourself. Don't make me regret it."

"I won't."

ooXXoo

It was a little after nine when they all set down for dinner of crispy golden fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy and not that instant stuff either, fresh ears of buttered corn on the cob, and perfect fluffy buttermilk biscuits that practically melted in the mouth. None of them even protested the brussel sprouts. Conversation around the crowded kitchen was limited to chewing, murmuring about how delicious the food was, or requesting someone pass a platter so an empty plate could be refilled.

By the time Faith pushed back from the table, she felt like patting her stomach in contentment. "I think this is the best I've eaten in years."

"I know," Dean agreed, looking as if he were still contemplating another piece of chicken that remained in the large roasting pan. "KFC has nothing on you Miranda."

The woman in question smiled shyly, even as she brushed a hand over Gabriel's shoulder. Miranda did that a lot, touched the boy, as if reassuring herself that he were still there and his rescue hadn't been a dream. The kid didn't seem to mind, even preened at the attention. Miranda was a good mother and the kid was lucky to have her. If someone had shown her half the affection that Miranda had for her son, maybe she wouldn't have grown up so screwed up.

Almost as if he could hear her thoughts, a strong hand slipped into the one she held on her lap, threading their fingers together. Joining them. Without saying anything she leaned over and a moment later his lips were brushing across her forehead. The sensation of warmth and caring made her feel as if all the bad stuff in the past might have been worth it to come to this moment in time.

"Thank you Dean," Miranda accepted, before pushing back in her chair to stand, "If anyone has room, I made pie for dessert."

"Pie?" Dean's eyes widened dramatically, "Real honest to goodness pie?"

"Yes," she shoved his seeking hands away from her waist with a giggle, "You're so silly. I have pecan and apple. I even have ice cream to put on top."

This brought groans of pleasure from all the males seated around the table. Except for Connor, who looked at them all with a quizzical frown. "What's so special about pie?"

"If you thought those biscuits were good," and Connor had practically melted in his seat when he bit into one of Miranda's biscuits, "Then you'll be stepping into heaven when you taste real pie, nice and warm with cold ice cream on top." Dean explained eagerly, "And if Miranda made it, you can just bet it'll be a slice of paradise."

"You didn't have to go to so much trouble," Fred smiled, standing as well to go help Miranda with dessert.

"It's no problem at all," the petite brunette assured, "I love cooking and Jason was kind enough to pay for the truck load of groceries I bought. Besides, it's the least I can do, after everything you all did to bring my son home."

"We didn't do it for a reward," Jason spoke up from next to Cordelia, where it looked like he had been sniffing her. Faith resisted the urge to tease them, since Cory looked like she was pretty damned happy with Jason's attention. "And I told you to buy whatever you needed, the money really isn't a big deal."

"I know," Miranda told him, "I know you helped us because it's just what you do, but that doesn't make me any less grateful. You all are used to fighting demons and things, I'm good at cooking. I want to do my share."

Faith could understand that, not wanting to feel like an obligation or helpless and in the way. It was how she felt back in Sunnydale. The spare Slayer. "Speaking of demons," and that brought a few groans, "We should probably start making plans."

"Slayer's right," Spike backed her up, "This is all well and good, but I can guarantee that the Lamashtu demon isn't going to wait for us to come to her."

"At the moment we're at zero on information," Fred sighed sadly. "What we have on Summerian demons is basically nothing. Aside from knowing that another demon was summoned to deal with Lamashtu, which I really don't see us doing because it was just as bad. We are no closer to killing it than we were when we first met."

"Unfortunately, Madam Mina is correct," Spinelli agreed after taking a sip from his neverending supply of orange soda. "While Stone Cold's library is quite extensive, and the Jackal's astounding cyber skills are second to none, we are regetfully lacking in the knowledge department."

"So what do we do next?" Miranda asked.

"From what Wesley and Gunn have been able to dig up back in LA, it seems our old friends at Wolfram and Heart just might be in this up to their eyeballs." Fred told them of the phone call she had recieved from the two men left to man Angel Investigations while everyone was gone. "He's looking up more information about Lamashtu and will shoot it to me as soon as he's done. Meanwhile Gunn and Loren are doing the one on one on the streets to see if what's going on out here is big enough to make waves out there."

"Any luck so far?" Sam quiried.

"Let's just say anytime Wolfram and Heart are excited about anything, we should expect a lot of big nasty evil. From the way Wesley sounded, Wolfram and Heart out there is very excited."

"I say we do a little old school patrolling." Faith answered, "We know that the demon came through the door, what we have no idea about is where she went afterwards. Something that big must have made an impact somewhere. And maybe we'll get a clue."

"But no confrontations unless absolutely necessary," Cordelia pointed out, "We don't want to show our hand, or get anyone killed going up against a demon we don't know how to kill yet."

"What about the PCU library?" Lulu spoke up, "If we're looking for information, shouldn't they have more books than we have available? No offense to Jason's selection or Spinelli's computer hacking but that's what Universities do right? Collect obscure information to torture students into paying lots of money to memorize and regurgitate it."

"She's right," Sam agreed. "If the the University has the right departments we might get lucky."

"I have some contacts in town that I can hit for information." Jason added, "That's how I learned about the ritual sacrifices. Maybe one will have something more."

"So we have three good jump off points," Dean accepted a dish of pie, groaning in ecstasy as he finished off a large spoon full. "It would make better sense for us to split off in groups and work from there so we can save time."

"He's right," Jason nodded approval. "Since Faith is probably used to patrolling, she can do that, take Sam and Dean with you for backup. Spinelli will print you out some maps of the city. Hit the graveyards, the docks see what you can find. Make sure you check Spoon Island, I'll get you the keys to one of the Corinthos/Morgan speed boats so you don't have to worry about the guards. There are a set of catacombs that I'm not sure if Nikolas has sealed off yet. A group of vampires had a nice party there, so you should check it out and make sure nothing else had that bright idea."

"That's cool." Then Faith turned to Dean, "Think you can keep up pretty boy?"

"Did you hear that Sammy," Dean wiggled his eyebrows with a wicked gleam in his eyes, "Faith thinks I'm prettier than you. She wants me, I knew it."

"Idiot," Miranda flicked him on the forehead with a finger.

"Spinelli, I think you and Fred should take the University, see what you can dig up there. Take Spike for backup and make sure you don't get caught by campus police again."

"Again?" Fred asked and Spinelli turned a cute shade of pink embarrassment.

"I was trying to hack into the University system but I needed to hook my baby up to the mainframe in the-"

"We don't need a rehash," Jason cut into what sounded like the beginnings of a long explaination. "Just make sure not to get caught this time."

"I'd like to go to," Lulu asked tentatively, "I dont' know much about computers or researching, and I can't fight like Spike does, but I did attend PCU for a semester, I know the campus pretty well and I still have my student ID, so if we are stopped by campus security, I could probably lie our way out of trouble better than Spinelli could."

"I don't know," Jason hedged.

"Please, I can do this," she insisted, "I'm a Spencer, we can lie in our dreams. Really Jason, I want to help."

They looked at each other a long time, Lulu's pleading eyes and Jason looking as if the last thing he wanted to do was risk Lulu in a situation that he wouldn't be in control of. "Fine," he caved after several more seconds but cut off Lulu's bright smile, "You do exactly what Spike tells you to do, especially if there is trouble other than campus security. If you have to lie, make it convincing, but it would be better if you avoided getting caught all together."

"We will," Lulu promised.

"Get in and out and come back here. Straight back here." Then he glanced over at Cordy, "You're with me, right?"

"Of course," and Faith knew that those two were talking about a lot more than hitting Jason's sources for information.

"What about us, Dad? What are we going to do besides sit here in the house."

"And be safe," he pointed out to Kady. "Connor will keep watch, you, Miranda and Gabriel can go over the information we already collected to see if we missed anything. If something comes here, you take the truck and head over to Sonny's. No staying behind trying to be heroes, understand."

Neither Connor or Kady looked all that excited about holding down the home front.

"So, we finish up here, change and strap up to leave at eleven?" Faith suggested and everyone around the kitchen agreed. "Good, so we meet back here say around two thirty, if there's a problem, we all have cells and will make use of them. Got it?"