(Author's Note- Thanks to all who've reviewed thus far. I'm glad you're liking my story. I want to say thanks to ILoveTheCubs and to "GH" (?), an anonymous reviewer for their ideas. They definitely helped me with this chapter. I hope you enjoy!! Please Review!! –E.B.F.R.)

Chapter #4 – Contemplations, Protection, Advice, and Arrangements

The Next Day –

Lucky had a day off from Deception. He was the photographer, thanks in part to his mother, and because of his natural ability with a camera. He hadn't gone to the park today to meet Emily. He needed to clear his head, just a little, to attempt and get a better handle on things. He let Emily know that he wasn't coming, and although she was a bit disappointed that he wouldn't be there, she understood. He didn't tell her, but he'd been heavily debating Emily's question on whether to look into the little girl's personal life.

He knew on the one hand, both he and Emily would A. find out that nothing was wrong. Perhaps Emily's doctor instincts kicked into overdrive for some odd, or no reason at all, that combined with her compassion and love for children, well with Emily, almost anything is possible in that brain of hers. Both of them would be happy at the satisfaction nothing was wrong. And then there was option B. which would then mean that unfortunately something was wrong…Lucky shook his head. He didn't want to think like that, nor did he like to. If anything, they should have contacted the police, at least on suspicion.

Lucky however was pretty positive that there needed to be some other measure of proof in order to go that far. A question of "Why? Why do you suspect this?" would be asked, and Emily and he couldn't very well use the explanations "she was at school yesterday and not today," nor could they use "something in her eyes told me." Even if the police bought that…it just didn't make sense to Lucky; filing a suspicion or complaint being that easy to do.

He really felt uncomfortable turning a family's world upside down for a suspicion that very well could end up turning out to be nothing. Lucky knew how to not get caught at secretly investigating or spying if you prefer on people, yet it gnawed at him at what if he got caught….

Still not making a decision, he went into his father's club to get his advice.

Kelly's –

A man simply stared straight ahead, at the empty seat across from him, and the wall behind his booth. He had to get her back. He knew she wasn't safe, and was only safe with him. He'd tried the police many times, but she always denied it and always had her to back her up. The man shook his head in disgust. His daughter was always too confused and scared to not back up her mother. He would reassure her that what she was doing, in hopefully one day telling the police that her mother wasn't being good to her, was right. But as always with an icy glare, always unseen by the police, his daughter always kept silent or backed up her mother's denials.

He knew that she was also scared of what would happen to her mother if she did tell the police what was happening, even if it was the right thing to do. Both he and his daughter knew that she wanted to live with him, but the capacity in a child's heart to love, to love her mother, despite all that she'd done…there was an unseen loyalty and worry there. He know that a part of that would never break, and he in a way had no problem with it, except his daughter was too young to realize or understand that you can still love someone even if they have to go to prison for what they've done.

He knew the last fight he had with his estranged wife had seriously frightened his little girl. He tries not to yell, but sometimes with everything she's been pulling, he can't help it. She's usually the instigator and her normal volume is always set to "Yelling." He knew the restraining order he was served with was just to keep him away from his daughter. His wife (soon to be ex-wife, thanks to divorce papers he was drawing up, including a clause for sole-custody) had given herself a black eye and some other minor bruises and claimed he had inflected them on her. He shook his head, but was thankful that his daughter wasn't home to witness anything, or be questioned.

During that fight however, he saw his daughter run and hide, as his wife began to throw things. You name it, it probably got thrown. Dishes, papers and magazines etc. He was just glad she didn't start throwing silverware such as knives at him.

He vowed to get his daughter back. He just wasn't sure how patient he could be waiting for those papers to be completed. He wasn't sure if his daughter had that much time…He truly feared for her safety. Perhaps it was time to retain a different lawyer, one who could put a rush on things…

Luke's Club –

"Hey Cowboy, what's shaking?" Luke Spencer said as he saw his son sit at the bar.

"Let me ask you something, hypothetically of course."

"Of course, go ahead, shoot."

"Okay, so say you have a feeling about something, but have no proof whatsoever to back up that feeling. And you want to investigate more, but if you do, and it turns out to be nothing, then you've totally turned what you're looking in to upside down and haywire…Yet if you investigate and it turns out to be something, then you can do something about it…What do you do?"

"Well…hmm…this is all hypothetical correct?" Luke asked, knowing better.
"Yes." Lucky replied, knowing that his father knew better.

"I'm really not sure what to tell you, son. I think it's one of those things where your head is fighting with your heart. You want to do what's right, even though you're not sure what 'right' is in this case. At the same time, you want to help, yet you're afraid that if you do 'help' that 'help' will do more destruction than good."

"Pretty much, yeah."

Luke took a long look at Lucky. Both men briefly locked eyes. "Do what you think is right, Lucky. Even if others don't agree, do what you think is right."

"Thanks Dad. I will."

"So…do you know what you're going to do?"

"Dad, it was hypothetical."

"Right, sure it was." Luke said with a smile.

"Yeah, I know what I'm going to do. Thanks." Lucky said as he made his way out of the club.

"You know where to find me if you need me." Luke called.

Emily's Apartment –

Later That Night –

Emily kept enjoying what little time off she had, however she still could not get that little girl out of her head. It's been causing her to loose sleep, which was not the best of things considering she had to go back to work the night shift, the next day. She knew she would be just as exhausted as when she left.

Emily wasn't sure whether Lucky was going to investigate. She hadn't heard from him since that morning and didn't want to push him too much, but she really wanted to know. Sighing, Emily made a decision, and wasn't about to let anything or anyone stand in her way. With that, she picked up the phone.

"Hello?" Said the voice, after two rings.

"Hi baby. I know it's late, and I'm sorry for calling, but could you come to my apartment sometime tomorrow? I need to ask you about something, but I'd rather do it in person."

"Sure, but is it okay if it's relatively early? I've got a meeting at 8:30 in the morning."

"Sure, how does…7ish sound?"

"Early, but early enough. Traffic should be a little less, considering I usually leave around 6:30 to get there by 7:45. Besides, my boss said I could come in a little later because of the meeting, and your apartment is three quarters of the way there."

"Great! Thanks."

"You're welcome."

Both fell into a comfortable silence.

"Well, we should get to bed, especially if we have an early day tomorrow."

"What time do you have to be at work?"

"Not until 7, I've got the night shift." Emily groaned.

"Maybe I'll come keep you company when you go on break."
"Thanks, but my break's only going to be 15 minutes…if that, if I'm even lucky enough to catch one."

"It's better than nothing. I'll see you tomorrow okay?"

"Okay. Thanks again."
"No problem. Night baby."

"Night." Emily replied as they both hung up.

Emily prepared herself for what she'd (hopefully) say tomorrow, and another possible restless night.

(A/N- Please Review!! Thanks! –E.B.F.R.)