Part Six

Outside the Metro Court

The Mayor swung Ric around and poked a finger in his chest. "No more whispering over here, Lansing... what is going on?"

Ric schooled his features into something akin to calm. "He's considering a trade... for a pregnant hostage."

The Mayor thought it through and then nodded. "Hmm, that's something." He walked away.

Ric watched the Mayor go... the pompous windbag was a pain in any situation. "You don't know the half of it."

Security Room Metro Court

Lucky paced around the room behind Luke. "Why are we waiting? We need to go down there and rescue them!"

"Now you just hold on, cowboy." Luke looked at one monitor than the next. "You forget, this ain't my first time at the rodeo, son."

"And you!" Lucky turned on his father. "You need to stop talking like you're in an old episode of the Rifleman." Lucky looked at the screen, his sister on a bench and Elizabeth... Elizabeth was doubled over where she knelt on the floor. "I'm tired of waiting around for you to come up with a plan. I'm going down there... now!"

Luke didn't even really try to stop him. He just turned back to the monitors, muttering about his 'dang fool' son.

Metro Court Lobby

Jason had never been on edge like he was at that very moment. It didn't help that the ski mask he'd pulled off of one of the gunmen was itchy and smelled of cheap cologne. He looked around the lobby and tried to keep a cool head about his situation. Still, Emily was there. Alan, too. But his main focus was on the petite brunette with her hands protectively rubbing her rounded belly. Elizabeth should never have been in the middle of this... she should never be in this kind of danger. If this crew was here because of Sonny or because of himself, he would never forgive himself.

Elizabeth tried not to think dark thoughts, but every time the leader looked at her he seemed to smirk. She felt a subtle urgency deep in her heart when she looked at Jason's father and saw how he was suffering... and getting weaker. She had to do something. "Dr. Quartermaine?"

He wheezed and reached out a hand to her. "Alan."

She blinked back her tears. "Alan... I know you're hurting-"

He tried to wave her off. "You just take care of yourself."

Elizabeth scooted closer, her eyes flitting about the room to the different gunmen, making sure she wasn't seen. "I need you to listen, Alan... listen carefully."

He seemed to hear the urgency in her voice and turned slightly to see her face. "What... what is it?"

Placing a reassuring hand on her stomach she leaned as close to Alan's ear as she dared. "There's something you need to know about my baby." She bit into her lip and continued on, knowing it was the right thing. "My baby's father is Jason."

Alan seemed to stop breathing for a moment and Elizabeth shuddered in fear.

"Alan?"

His breath whooshed out from his lips with a sigh and he reached out a hand to her. They linked their fingers and he pulled her closer.

"Truly?"

"I'm telling him the next time I see him, but you, Alan... you need to fight... and live. I want you to know this child."

He relaxed a little against the pillow and smiled, taking in one breath after another with greater strength. "A baby."

Elizabeth saw one of the gunmen turn their way and she moved away from Alan, her heart pounding in her chest. She hoped it would be enough to keep Alan going until they could get him to General Hospital.

The leader smiled at Emily, his eyes cold and full of laughter. "I think you'd like to claw my eyes out right now."

Emily didn't nod, but her eyes flashed with anger. "I'd use my scalpel," she answered and saw his surprise, "but you've got the upper hand right now and I'm going to ask you one more time to please release my father and Elizabeth. They both need medical help. It's not going to help your bargaining power if something happens to either of them."

Fun One thought about it for a moment. "Then again, i'm threatening every single person in this lobby with a violent death... what should two lives matter?

"
"Three." Nikolas stood up and pushed away the barrel of a gun from one of the other masked men. "Elizabeth is pregnant. Let them go."

"I'm sorry," his voice dripped with sarcasm, "being a prince won't get you anything here." He nodded to his man and the butt of a gun descended on Nikolas's shoulder and he was driven to his knees. "Now," he turned to Emily, "you're going to get half your wish. I'm going to let someone go."

Emily looked back at Elizabeth and Alan before she turned back to the leader. "Who?"