Walking Wounded

Chapter Six

It never failed.

Michael shook his head, bending to check under his father's desk. Seeing nothing, he paused, trying to imagine where Cate could have left them. Knowing her like he did, they could be anywhere.

He heard muted footsteps scampering down the stairs and glanced back at his little sister. She sent him a hopeful grin but he shook his head. "Sorry kiddo."

Cate sighed deeply. Michael rolled his eyes and bit back a laugh. Drama queen that she was, she had the entire household, including the guards searching for her stupid shoes. She headed to the kitchen with determination. "I know they're here somewhere. We can find them."

"Right. Because the fact that we've searched for an hour in every corner of this building means we must be getting close." He ignored her piercing stare and held his hands together, dropping to his knees. "Cate. You have a million and one pairs of shoes. Pick something else and let's go. Please. I beg of you."

"No Brown! I want those. Those are Daddy's favorite."

"They're your favorite Catherine." Leticia said, stepping out of the den. "Don't drag your father into this to force us to keep looking."

"He likes when I wear those. Says I look beautiful."

Michael resisted the urge to roll his eyes again. "Oh for pete's sake, Cate. Dad thinks you look beautiful no matter what." He crossed his arms, exchanging an amused look with a slightly frustrated Leticia. "Am I right, Let?"

"I don't care. I want those shoes." Cate flipped her hair pointedly and stomped into the kitchen.

"It's your fault you know."

Michael raised an eyebrow at his nanny. "Oh?"

"You're the one who first taught her how to talk." She sighed, following Cate into the 'You-Know-Where' as they so lovingly called the forbidden room.

Michael shook his head and yelled after her. "I'm not the one who filled her head with all that "Girls rule!" crap." He smiled, hearing the clashing of pans. God knew that kid could have lost those shoes in the cabinets. Stranger things had happened. He glanced around the room and walking on his knees went to look under the couch. He fit his hand through the small slit between the couch and the floor.

He doubted they would be there but when he made Cate pick another pair, he could honestly say they had looked everywhere. He felt a small prick and pulled his hand out quickly. The small dot of blood on his finger surprised him. He wiped it away and carefully felt under once more. Feeling the sharp object, he worked it slowly out and glancing down, realized immediately what he had found.

It was his mother's missing ruby earring. They had searched the house for weeks after her death for it. He was sure his Dad still had the other one somewhere. He sat on the couch, holding the small jewel in his fingers, light glinting off it as he twirled it slowly.

His anger toward Carly was irrational and he knew it. But he hated her for leaving. Guilt would then set in which only made him madder. She had left. After promising them she never would. The older he got, the more he realized it was ridiculous to blame someone for dying.

But it had now become a habit. It was like breathing. Hating his mother. He did without meaning to and at times without wanting to. The cycle of pain, anger, and guilt had become endless.

He heard Cate and Leticia's voices as they came from the kitchen. He stuffed the small stone in his pocket and turned. "Okay, kiddo. We're gonna have to find something else to put on your feet."

June 2005

Michael's foot tapped repeatedly against the tiled floor beneath. He stared straight ahead, eyes hurting from the harshness of the light glaring off the white walls. The insistent buzzing of the florescent bulbs above his head tried his patience almost as much as the man before him. He kept his eyes on the tall figure that questioned him. He may have only been eight but he was very much his father when he was angry. He stiffened, looking as imposing as he could manage.

"My Dad isn't crazy."

"No one is saying that."


Michael closed his fist, resisting striking the doctor. "Yes. You are."


Dr. Thompson sighed, rubbing his forehead, silently cursing his luck at having been the doctor on duty. "Your father is grieving, Michael. Your mom's death has hurt him so much he can't..."

"I know what my mother dying is doing to my Dad."

Michael hated when adults talked down to him. He wasn't stupid or blind. He knew his Dad was in pain. That he wasn't acting right. But he also knew that being locked up in a small room wasn't going to help. He'd overheard his mommy and Uncle Jason talk about how his Dad hated being locked away.

"If you want to help my father then let him out."

"Michael. I can't allow that. He belongs here. He needs help."

"Maybe that's what Michael is trying to give him, Thompson." Kevin Collins strained voice reached Michael and he looked past the other doctor to an approaching Kevin.

"This isn't any of your concern Collins." Dr. Thompson turned to glare at the other man. "I think you should move along."

Michael watched Dr. Collins face as he looked back at him. He knew more then he was saying. "I want him to take care of my Dad."

"You can't make that decision Michael."

Kevin pulled out a sheet of paper, handing it quickly to Thompson. "Maybe not. But Sonny's next of kin, Courtney Morgan can and did." He reached for Michael's hand and gently guided him from the room. They walked quietly for a few minutes until they reached a door. Kevin stopped, bending down to look at Michael.

"I know this is hard but I promise you I will do everything I can to help your dad."

Michael nodded. "I believe you."

She glanced at her watch again, tapping the fingers of one hand on the table, sipping her coffee calmly. All around her there was a murmur of conversation, sunglasses however shielded her from prying looks. She blocked out everything but the sound of her breathing. She needed to concentrate. Her hand paused for a moment as her eyes followed the couple that had come in the door.

Ric Lansing and Dara Jenkins.

She forced her eyes back to the door, her patience now waning and irritation starting to take over. She hated to wait. Cursing, she vowed not to use a public place like this one the next time she had to conduct business. Scratching under the wig she wore, making sure it remained in place, before turning back to her drink. The low rumble of laughter floated her way causing her body to react instantly. She recognized Ric's laugh anywhere. Her gaze swung back to the two sitting by the entrance, feeling a twinge of emotion she refused to acknowledge.

Uncontrolled emotions cost too much and she couldn't offered the price that came with them.

"Excuse me?"

She brought her shielded stare up to look at the tall, dark-haired man in front of her. She knew who he was but waited for him to continue. "Yes?"

"My name is Randolph Baxter. Are you-"

"Yes I am. Please. Have a seat Mr. Baxter." She offered the chair across from her and he sat, leaned forward, hands clasped on the table. "What can I do for you, Mr. Baxter?"

"Right to business, I see."

"Well, I don't see the need for chit chat. You have a request of me. I think it's best to know if I can fulfill it." She already knew her answer. There were standards that she lived and worked by and she was certain that Mr. Baxter's employer was most certainly below them. But she needed information.

"Of course." Mr. Baxter pulled a brown envelope from his briefcase, discreetly sliding it across the table, then turning to the menu, preceding to ignore her. She gently opened the flap, removing the picture and dossier from inside. Her heart skipped a moment at the face that looked up at her.

She had been right then.

"When does he want this done?"

"There is no timeline." Baxter replied, not bothering to look up at her. "Just that it be done...quietly."

She almost laughed. Mayor Trevor Lansing certainly thought highly of himself if he believed ordering the death of the Assistant DA could be done without causing an uproar.

"It's certainly a lot of heat to bring down on myself, Mr. Baxter."

"They tell me you're the best."

"I am. Do you want to know why?" She didn't wait for a response. "Because I'm cautious. I understand what will get noticed and what will not." She placed the papers back in the envelope and sealed it. Her eyes remained hidden behind her dark glasses and she glanced once more at Ric. "Since there is no real rush, I'll need a few days to think it over. I have a prior engagement but as soon as it's done I'll be in contact."

Mr. Baxter nodded, standing as she rose from her seat and extending his hand. She resisted the urge to break it, simply taking it in hers instead. "Have a good afternoon." Walking with confidence, she headed to the entrance, and averting it, turned to the right. Making sure she was neither being watched nor followed, she entered the women's bathroom.

She looked at her reflection in the mirror, feeling those emotions she kept inside begin to leak out. Removing her glasses, she was shocked at the blue eyes that met her. The fear in them was unfamiliar to her. She pulled off her blonde wig, unleashing her dark hair from its bun.

Rubbing her eyes, her mind raced with a plan...some form of warning she could give him.

Elizabeth Webber ex-Lansing shook her head and smiled bitterly at the image in the mirror. "Yeah Lizzie. I'm sure Ric would understand you being hired to kill his girlfriend."

Dara was safe for the moment. At least until Trevor got tired of waiting for her decision. In the meantime she had to find a way to stop it. Closing her eyes, she knew there was only one person who could help Ric...god only knew if he was willing...

Kevin placed the money on the counter, smiling at the waitress as he picked up his coffee. "Thank you Georgie."

"Anytime Dr. Collins. How is Christina?"

His face lit up, as it always did, at the mere mention of his daughter. She was more and more like Lucy every day. "She's doing really well. Especially for having started high school a year ahead of time."

Georgie grinned. "That's wonderful. She's a genius!"

Kevin laughed. "Don't say that to her. She hates it."

"Are you talking about me again Dad? What are you saying now?" Christina threw her book bag on the nearest chair, joining her father by the counter and addressing Georgie. "Whatever he said, it's an exaggeration. Trust me."

The sound of giggles filled the room and they all turned to see the Corinthos brood enter the diner. Cate waved as she caught a glimpse of them. "Hi Dr. Collins. Hi Chris!"

Kevin noticed how tense Christina had become and he gave her a quizzical glance as he approached Sonny, shaking his hand. "How are you guys doing this morning?"

"Pretty good." Sonny glanced behind Kevin. "Hi Christina. You look very nice today."

"Thank you Mr. Corinthos. " She forced herself to avoid the blue eyes that were staring at her intently. Moving closer, she bent to give Cate a hug "Greetings Lady Catherine. How are thou this fine morning?"

Cate laughed and bowed at her friend. "Very well. And how are thou Duchess Christina?"

Everyone laughed at their ridiculous greeting. It had been that way since Christina and Cate had met. They formed a bond that seemed strange to others around them. Nobody realized how much in common they had. Cate had wanted a big sister and Christina was the perfect substitute for one.

Kevin studied Michael as the young man stared at his daughter. An uneasy feeling unfurled in his gut and he pushed it aside. Michael and Christina barely spoke when they saw each other. He caught the quick flash of emotion that entered Michael's eyes when he spoke next.

"Hello Christina."

"Hi Michael." Her smile was quick, fleeting and she turned to Kevin. "I'm sorry Dad but I need to meet up with Mom so if you're still willing to take me , we gotta go now." She grabbed her bag, kissing her hand and placing it on Cate's cheek as she walked by. She waved at Sonny and Leticia. "It was nice to see you." Nodding at Michael, she fled outside, pausing to wait for her father.

She closed her eyes. This town was too damn small. She barely handled seeing Michael at school everyday.

Kevin touched her shoulder. "Honey are you okay?"

She smiled at him. "Of course. Let's go." She walked away and Kevin followed slowly as he stared through the window, seeing Michael staring back at him.

"Mike."

Sonny glanced over at his son, frowning at the intense expression he saw on Michael's face.

"Mike!" Sonny waved a hand in front of his son's face. Michael blinked, focusing on the present. He smiled with chagrin at having been caught.

"Sorry Dad. What were you saying?"

Sonny raised one eyebrow but chose to ignore whatever had just happened. He knew his son well enough to know he wouldn't get anything out him. "I asked if you have everything you need for Brenda's wedding tonight. Did you get your tux?"

"Yeah...yeah." Michael glanced at his father, shifting his gaze to his sister as he asked the question that had been plaguing his mind. "Dad...are you...hurt that Brenda is getting married?"

Sonny stared at him for a moment before shaking his head. "No. Brenda...I love her...she's a friend...but...she hasn't had the power to hurt me for a very long time now. I want her to be happy."

Michael nodded. "Fair enough." He made a face that made Sonny laugh. "I don't even want to think about what I would have done if you said yes."

Sonny snorted his coffee, covering his laughter with a cough. "Well then it's good that I don't care. Just don't ask Jason that question."

"Wouldn't think of it. He's already in a bad mood.

Sonny nodded. "Tell me about it. So, you ready for ushering duties?"

"Pretty much. Of course Ms. Cate is ready to dance her way down that aisle." Michael smiled into his drink as a thought entered his head. "You think there's like any chance Jason rides into the middle of the church on his bike and stops the wedding?"

His father's laughter rumbled through the diner. "When hell freezes over, buddy."

"That's what I thought...oh well...I guess we're going to chapel..."

"And god help us let's hope someone gets married..."

Stefan concentrated on his plate of food, hiding his smile behind his glass, taking his role as the spectator in Nikolas and Gia's nightly fight seriously.

"It seems ridiculous to go to this wedding."

"Why?" Gia asked, arms crossed, glaring at her husband. She knew he was being contradictory just to piss her off. It had been going on for weeks. They seemed to be fighting over the smallest, inconsequential details. She caught Stefan's amused stare and glared in return. "It's not funny Stefan."

"I have not said it was my dear. In fact, I do not believe I have spoken one word about it."

"You don't have to. I can feel you laughing."

Stefan smirked, taking a sip of his sherry as he did. It was most amusing to watch this dance, even a little exasperating. He would step in except he knew it would not be appreciated. By either one of them. "I am sorry Gia. I will refrain from showing any signs of contentment while we eat."

Nikolas sighed. "Uncle. Do not be glib. It doesn't suit you." He turned to his wife and lost his train of thought. She looked spectacular in a red suit he had a bought her for her birthday. "Why is it so important to go to this wedding?" He glanced away as he asked, taking a mouthful of chicken into his mouth. The symbolism was not lost on him.

"Because we were invited, it's one of the biggest events in PC, many of your business associates as well as mine are going to be there, and I want to go."

Nikolas conceded, grumbling as he took a sip of his drink. "Who has a midnight wedding ceremony?"

"Ms. Barrett-almost-Corinthos-almost-Jacks-once-Morgan-soon-to-be-Black apparently does." Stefan blurted out with a smile. "Please. I do not blame the child. She does not seem to have luck with marriages. Perhaps she believes that a midnight wedding will bring her better results."

Nikolas shook his head. "You've been around Luke for way too long Uncle."

Gia laughed at Stefan's outraged expression and reaching over extending her hand, winking as her husband slapped it in return. "Good one."

"Thank you Sparky."

"So does that mean you're coming to the wedding without complaint?"

Nikolas groaned. "If I say yes, will you drop it and let me get back to this dinner that Mrs. Lansbury slaved over?"

"Um..." Gia contemplated that as she leisurely ate from her fork. "Hmm. Only if you throw in a new pair of Minolos."

Sighing, Nikolas reached his hand out to her. "Deal." Gia grinned, returning the handshake.

"Deal!"

Stefan observed his nephew stare at his wife, affected by her smile as he always was. Nikolas looked away almost immediately, finding his food of great interest. He shook his head. This was going to be harder then he thought but he knew that if they were forced to admit it, Gia and Nikolas would see how much love there was between them.

Now he just needed to figure out some way to make that happen.

Brenda scanned around the room, looking for anything that she might have missed. Satisfied that everything had been packed away, she turned to the man standing silently by the door. Her heart dipped when she looked at his beautiful, somber face.

"I think that's everything."

Jason nodded. "Yeah. I think so too."

They hesitated for a moment, both trying to come up with reasons to delay the inevitable. Brenda reached for her bag, slinging it on her shoulder and walking to where Jason stood, unmoving.

She pressed her lips to his, placing a whisper of a kiss on them. His hand reached to the back of her neck, holding her there for an eternity. Pulling back, he spoke honestly for the first time in a long time. "Don't go." Their eyes met, bodies leaning into each other until there was no space between them. His forehead touched hers. "Stay with me."

Brenda shuddered out a breath, her head shaking in denial. She knew she couldn't stay. "I can't." Her whispered response caressed his chin and he shuddered in reaction.

"Why?"

Brenda stepped back, cold and lost out of his arms. She knew that Gabriel would never make her feel what Jason did. Noone would. But she also knew Jason.

"Because you can't give me what I need." Pulling her jacket closed, she smiled, sadness radiating from her eyes. "I learned a lot about who I am in all these years Jase. I know you think I didn't but...I did. " She brushed past him to the door, opening it as she continued. "I want that always-forever love. I want someone who can give me everything they have to give."

"I can't do that."

"I know." She turned to glance at him. "And I can't have anything less."

"Gabriel gives you all those things."

She paused before answering. "Gabriel is willing to try."

He touched her hand. "What if that doesn't exist? What if what you're looking for is unreachable? You could be searching your whole life for a lie Brenda."

"It exists. You've seen it. Know better then anyone what it looks like. That's why you're scared to find it. In your head Jason, you think love destroys. I think it gives hope."

He freed her from his grasp. Stepping back into his apartment, into his shield where she couldn't hurt him. "What hope did love give Sonny? Or Carly? She'd dead and he's less then a person without her. Do you really want that for yourself? For us?"

She felt like weeping for him at that moment. She stepped toward him, her hand reaching for his cheek. Her gaze penetrating his and she spoke firmly, with a conviction he'd rarely heard from her. "You still don't understand, do you? Sonny and Carly...they're not over. One day...he'll see her again...and he'll be complete. Noone can take that from him." Dropping her hand, she turned to leave and felt his gaze on her. "That Jase...is love."

"Cassandra Mikayla Martin...where the hell are you?! I've been calling you for two days straight. You call as soon as you get this message."

Cassie cringed into her phone. Carly was pissed at her...not unusual of course and normally it wouldn't phase her. They tended to argue like crazy. Anyone that knew her was aware she could talk her way out a deal with Satan himself. Bullshit was her specialty. But never when it came to her mother.

And Carly's use of her whole name...that was rare. Not to mention scary.

It was a very bad sign.

"I hate when this happens."

She dialed Carly's number, receiving a busy signal , trying the house phone with the same results. It wasn't uncommon for the island to have pockets of non-reception, especially if their was a storm of some sort. If that was the case, it could take days to get through. In the meantime, Carly would stew and bubble until she was ready to kill her.

"Oh man. She's gonna yell at me."

"Why would anyone want to do that?"

Cassie swung around at the familiar voice. "Mr. Corinthos! Um...how long have you been standing there?"

Sonny smiled at the suspicious glint in Cassie's eyes. Very much like Carly's eyes when he would surprise her... "I wasn't spying if that's what you're getting at Ms.- what is your last name?"

"You can call me Cassie."

"Cassie?"

"Yeah. Just Cassie."

"Is that like Madonna or Cher?"

It took her a moment to realize he was joking. Surprised, she laughed out loud and received a dimpled smile in return. "Great. So you're a comedian now." She remembered the message on her phone and frowned. This day was not going as planned. If her Uncle Lorenzo had just been home...

She needed to find him and get Carly back here. Fast.

"So who is it that is going to yell at you?"

Her gaze flitted to his, confusion clouding them for a moment before she remembered that he had overheard her. Some distant part of her told her to lie...but she couldn't...wouldn't. "My mother."

Sonny nodded. "Aha. What did you do?"

Cassie stared at him. "You are such a parent."

Sonny laughed. "Excuse me?"

"Seriously." She walked to the bench, plopping down on it. "What makes you automatically think it's my fault. Cari could have done something, you know."

"Cari?" Sonny asked, confused, he took the space on the bench next to her, turning to look at her.

"That's my mom."

"I see. Is she mad that you call her by her name?" He shrugged at her look. "I'm just saying I wouldn't appreciate my kids calling me 'Sonny'."

"Well...Cari doesn't mind." Cassie bit her lip, contemplating how much to say to him. He would know the truth soon enough. That was why she was here, wasn't it? "She's not...she's not my biological mother."

Sonny nodded. "That makes sense. She raised you then?"

Cassie paused. "You could say that. It's more like she saved me. Of course if you ask her, she says I saved her." She caught the smile that played on her father's lips and her heart ached to share some part of Carly, Matthew and her life with him. "I didn't...my family life wasn't exactly ideal." She thought of the things Carly had told her about Sonny. "Whose is though, right?"

Sonny watched her face as she told him about the woman she considered her mother...about their family. She seemed to light up from inside as she talked about them. He could see how much she loved them.

"So she's your savior then?" He nodded, thinking about his angel, the one who'd given him everything. "I had someone like that in my life. She made life...better."

Cassie sighed. "I know." She caught the inquiring look he sent her and covered. "I mean...I could tell you had someone like that." She changed the subject. "Cari's just worried. I haven't called home in a few days."

Sonny shook his head. "That's not good."

"Yeah. Well as soon as I can get through to them, it'll be better."

"You can't get through?"

"No."

"Well then I'm sure that your Mom will understand that."

"She'll understand. She'll still yell first but she'll understand."

Sonny laughed, glancing at his watch. It was nearly noon and he had enough paperwork to choke a horse before the wedding. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes. If Brenda actually managed to get married this time...

"I should go. Good luck with your mother."

"Thanks. I'll need it."

She watched him walk away, then pause to turn to her. "You know, your mom sounds like an amazing women. You 're lucky to have her." He nodded, waving once and continued walking. Cassie stared after him until he had disappeared from her line of sight. She sighed, holding her phone against her chest.

"We both are, Pops."

Carly shoved every piece of clothing she could find offhand, into her duffel bag. Running around the room, she found her stash of cash and dropped a wad into her purse, ignoring the glare she was receiving from the other end of the room.

"I'm going Sonia."

"I haven't said anything."

"No but I can hear your disapproval from here." She stopped for a moment to look at her friend. "My daughter is out there...within reach of that sick freak that tormented her for so long...I can't risk something happening to Cassie. She's too important."

Sonia nodded. "I agree. But you forget that she's not your babygirl anymore Carly. She's almost a woman and she can take damn good care of herself."

"She's still my babygirl Sonia. That'll never change."

"Then have you stopped to think that maybe she hasn't called because she wants to protect you...us. That something may have happened and we're all at risk." Lightening flashed across the sky followed by a loud bang of thunder and Sonia shivered, frightened by both her thoughts and the storm.

"You don't think I haven't thought that? I can't think about anything else until I know she's okay." Carly folded some shirts, shoving them into her pack with shaking hands. "I've failed all my kids Sonia. I can't sit here and not try to save one of them if I can. It's my job to protect her."

"You saved your kids Carly. You protected them. The only way you knew how."

"That's what I tell myself but it's crap. I did the one thing I promised I never would. I left them. That eats at me a little everyday. Nothing I do will ever make that right. But I'll be damned if I let it continue. Knowing that Michael and Cate were growing up and I couldn't be there. Memories of Sonny. Loving him but never being able to be with him. Those things kill me bit by bit. Matthew and Cassandra are what has kept me going for the last five years. Believing I was doing what was right for Michael, Cate and Sonny has kept me alive. I won't let anything happen to any of them." She slung the pack onto her shoulder, running to the door, opening it and finding her bleary-eyed five-year-old on the other side. "Mattie, baby. Why are you up? Did the storm scare you?"

Dropping her bag, she bent, picking her son up in her arms. He laid his head on her shoulder and she smoothed her hands over his back. "What is it champ?"

"I just wanted to hug you before you left."

Carly pulled back to look into his face...so much like his daddy. "Thank you sweetheart."

He touched her cheek softly. "It's okay Mommy. I'll be fine. You have to find Cassie before..."

"Before?"

Matthew shook his head and kissed her cheek. "Before something bad happens Mama."

She glanced back at Sonia, holding her son tightly in her arms. "I promise I'll find Cassie, baby. I promise."

"Sonofabitch!"

Cassie peered through the blacked out windows on the door. There appeared to be no movement from the inside.

"I'm going kill him."

Coleman had told her she would be able to find her Uncle Lorenzo here. He was almost never wrong. She contemplated the lock on the door. If she knew her uncle...and lord knew she did...it was more then a good bet there was no security system on the door.

"And even if there is...I'm sure I can figure out what the code is."

Reaching inside her jacket, she pulled out a small canvas case, extracting one of the dozens of lock picks she had to chose from. It was a present from her darling uncle...it seemed appropriate that she use it on him. She smiled knowing he would love that she had.

"He better hope I don't find him in there..."

Glancing behind her, she bent, leaning her head into the doorknob. Listening for the catch, she missed the soft shuffle of feet coming around the corner. There was a click and she made a soft triumphant noise as the door opened slightly.

"Don't move."

The cold barrel of a gun pushed into her back and she stiffened, her mind racing to find some way out of whatever situation she had gotten into. Her first thought was of her family. Knowing how close they had been to what they wanted. She heard the snap of the gun being cocked.

"Who are you?"

"That was going to be my question." She was whirled around to face her attacker...and was stuck by the deep blue eyes that met hers. "Followed by me asking why you were breaking into this establishment."

Okay. The guy wasn't out to kill her. That was good. She could work this to her advantage. She smiled brilliantly, her dimples flashing at him and she had a moment of satisfaction of knowing he was caught off guard. "I'm sorry. I know this most look bad. But honestly, I know the owner."

"I see." His eyes clouded over, not allowing her to gauge any response. "That seems convenient."

She laughed, her mouth dry for some unexplainable reason. She avoided the heated stare aimed at her, her eyes flicking to the gun still held in his hands. He wore a leather jacket that opened to reveal a white t-shirt. It fit him perfectly. Her eyes lowered and she caught a glimpse of what looked like tight blue jeans. Definitely not a bodyguard. Her eyes lingered for a moment before she forced them back to his blue-eyed glare.

Get a grip Cassandra. Think girl.

"It's true. My uncle owns this club."

An eyebrow was cocked in disbelief and she was annoyed by it. It was the truth and whoever the hell this was would know it soon enough.

"I swear. He asked me to meet him here. Of course, as always he's late. That's Uncle Lor-" She glanced at the sign, remembering what Carly had told her. He went by Luke in Port Charles. "Luke. That's Uncle Luke for you."

"I don't appreciate being lied to, little girl."

"Excuse me?"

"This 'Uncle Luke' story is a little sad don't you think? I believe I know breaking and entering when I see it. That's not good."

She crossed her arms, her stance defiant. "What? Am I staking your claim or something? Were you casing the joint?" His smile was cold, almost hard and she met it with one of her own. "What the hell do you care anyway?"

She jumped as he reached into his pocket, pulling out a badge. "Maybe cause my job is to stop criminals, darling."

"Oh jesus." Cassie hung her head. Just a her damn luck. She gets a cop. "Look Officer Doogie or whatever the hell your name is. This REALLY is my uncle's place. He won't care that I tried to break in. Hell he'd be the first to applaud me."

"I doubt that much."

Sighing, she ran her hand through her already mussed dark curls. "Just ask him, will you?"

"I don't have to. I'm more then sure Luke Spencer isn't your uncle." He pulled out his handcuffs and turned her to snap them on her wrists.

"Oh come on, man! I am his niece. You're making a mistake."

"Look lady. I don't know what you want but I suggest you come quietly."

Cassie shook her head in shock. "Next thing I know you'll be telling me to stop in the name of the law! Luke isn't going to be mad. How the hell do you know I'm not his niece...which I am by the way." She cringed as he pulled her away from the door.

"Funny. I don't remember you at any of the family reunions."

She stared at him hard and he smiled widely. "The name's Lucky Spencer and you're under arrest, sweetheart."