Michael sat at his computer listening to music and trying to come up with an idea for his history paper. He had passed right by Jax and Alexis not stopping to give an answer of why he had returned home from school so early.
"Michael." Jax knocked on his door. "You have a visitor."
"Who is it?" He questioned.
"Alyssa; can I send her in?"
"Sure." He answered reluctantly. Alyssa came in and Michael stood up to give her a hug. "I guess Kevin told you."
"He didn't have to; word travels around fast. How's your hand?" She asked studying the cuts and bruises.
"It's fine; it was more my pride that was hurt more than anything else. I hate when that happens. I just feel so… out of control."
"What exactly did happen?" Alyssa asked.
"I flipped out. I couldn't handle everybody going up to me to express their condolences. It was like this switch finally went off; much like it had plenty of times after I woke up from the coma. I thought I was finally almost normal."
"You want to be normal?" She teased him.
"Yeah, maybe. What's wrong with that? A nice, normal boy taking advantage of having his gorgeous girlfriend in his room." He smirked as he put his arms around her.
"I'm not saying I don't want this…" She replied as their lips closed in on each other's. "But you don't have to…"
"Shh…" He said quietly before initiating contact. Once they pressed together it was Alyssa that threw her weight over to the bed allowing him to be as impulsive as he wanted. After starting to venture under her shirt Michael pulled back.
"No, it's okay." Alyssa held onto his wrist as he held her bare waist.
"No it's not." He combed his free hand through her hair. "Not under this roof; not now, and definitely not without some protection."
"And here I thought you were having impulsivity issues." She smiled.
"When I'm frustrated and angry, but you bring out a different side of me. I can't tell you how much I need that right now."
"I wouldn't say you need…"
"I would. Remember when that guy grabbed me from the mall? All I could think of was making sure you were safe and getting me back safely to see you again. I had a conversation with Father Coates today. He reminded me that my mom's strength comes… came from the ability to rely on someone else when it looked like she was facing the impossible."
"That was Jason?" Alyssa questioned.
"He typically wouldn't do anything except listen, but knowing that she had him in her corner made her feel like she conquer the world. You do that for me."
"And you give that right back." She replied.
*************
"Here you are." Sam dropped Lucky back off at the house. "I'm going to bring Kris home, and be right back."
"Okay, I might be at the station when you get here. I want to check out a couple of things on the computer before Lulu gets home." Lucky replied before kissing her.
"Sounds good, do you mind picking up some Chinese on your way home?"
"Not a problem, the usual?"
"Unless you really wanted to surprise me." She smiled.
On the way back to the Jacks house Kristina sat in the back checking out the name and phone number of Damon Katsaros.
"You do know that getting involved with that guy is a really bad idea." Sam commented.
"Like getting involved with dad and then Jason wasn't?" Kristina countered. "Damon seems nice, and intelligent, and I don't see what the problem would be…"
"You don't think he's going to have a problem with the fact that the reason you were up there was to pump him for information?"
"Maybe." She grumbled. "Do you think I got you anything useful?"
"Absolutely. I am going to have Spinelli do a full scale investigation into this Lars guy and find out what he was up to at Brewster Academy."
"Sam?" Kristina questioned. "Does the school Briarton-Griggs ring a bell?"
"Come to think of it, yes. Why?"
"Damon said that it was the sister school. He wanted me to apply there." She beamed. "There was just something about that name; as if I've seen it somewhere."
"A yearbook." Sam replied.
"What?"
"Mom went there. That's where mom went for high school." She recalled that same trip with Jason when she was searching for her birth mother.
"Mom is about the same age as Lars/Valentin would be; I wonder if she may have known him while he was going there." Kristina speculated. "Damon said that the schools would have their dances together."
"It… it's a possibility, but don't you say anything to her. Let me talk to her one-on-one. Maybe I can agree to get her to meet for lunch or something tomorrow."
"Hey look; it looks like Morgan is getting home at the same time." Kristina pointed at Dante's car pulling up.
"And he looks like he's smiling." Sam observed; still waiting to see that same flicker of light re-emerge in Lucky's grin. "You have a good time with your brother's tonight, and think about what you really want before making that phone call."
"I will; you have a good time with Lucky tonight." She replied before getting out of the car and greeting both Dante and Morgan. "Morgan, you look like you had fun."
"I did. A few more sessions and I'll be hitting homers in no time." He replied.
"What?" Kristina questioned.
"We went to the batting cage." Dante explained.
"Well that sounds like fun." Jax cut into the conversation from the front porch. "Would you guys care to join Michael and Alyssa for dinner? That invitation goes out to all of you." He added looking directly at Dante.
"Sure." Dante responded as Kristina and Morgan went inside. "How did Michael's first day back at school go?"
"Don't tell him this but I got a call from Father Coates; apparently it didn't go so well."
"Did he get in a fight?" Dante assumed.
"Not unless you count the defenseless locker that he smashed his hand against. I know I'm asking a lot of you Dante to help with…"
"I'm glad to do it. I mean, they need something; Jason has vanished, and Sonny is leaving town tonight."
"Huh?" Jax inquired. "What do you mean Sonny is leaving town? Don't get me wrong, I typically have no use for the guy, but what is more pressing that he would take off one day removed of his children's mother's funeral?"
"He's following a lead to track down his wife."
Jax shook his head even more disgusted by it. "This is typical Sonny. Who cares if his kids need him; not when he has the new flavor of the month to worry about."
"I thought you didn't want Sonny as an influence to Michael and Morgan?" Dante asked confused.
"I my perfect world he wouldn't be; although in my perfect world their mother would…" His voice started to crack. "We should go in for dinner."
***********
"I suppose for your own good I should walk away." Johnny said bumping into Caitlyn.
"My brother seems to think you're my addiction." She replied. "But I don't remember seeking you out."
"I came to try to work things out with Olivia before I left." He explained.
Caitlyn's eyes widened not sure of which part of that sentence she wanted to comment on more. "You're leaving?"
"I am helping Sonny with the lead to find Claudia. The limo is picking me up here to bring me to the jet."
"When?"
After looking down at his watch he answered. "About now."
"Oh." She replied starting to step away. As she did he grabbed her arm.
"Would you care to wish me luck?" He requested.
She hugged him and kissed his cheek. "Promise me to come home safely." She whispered into his ear.
"I promise. You take care of yourself too."
"I always do." She smirked.
"I'll see you soon." He responded backing off.
***********
"Carly?" Jason questioned seeing a woman from behind.
"Excuse me?" She replied turning around.
"Oh, I am so sorry." Jason replied as it was obvious it wasn't her.
"Can I help you with something?"
"Yeah, I suppose. Could you point me in the right direction of the Ferry's that go out to the natural reserve islands?"
"Sure; the loading dock is about two kilometer that way." She pointed out.
"Thank you."
"Who is she?" The woman asked before letting him walk away.
"Who?"
"Carly; the woman you're searching for? The person I resemble from the back? I assume you mean to meet her there. She must be one lucky woman."
"I could argue that I'm the lucky one. Again, thanks for your help." He replied and walked off. His brain was on one thing and he wasn't going to stop until he found her. He waited in line before being able to talk to the director. "Excuse me; can I speak with someone in charge of this?"
"That would be the captain if you wanted to go aboard." The director explained.
"How often does he hold these tours?"
"About every couple of hours sun up to sun down, except in inclement weather." She replied.
"A couple of days ago there was a storm." He started.
"Yes; there was a delay in the rides that day due to a shipwreck in the area."
"Did anyone see anything? What time did the captain show up?" Jason pressed.
"He usually gets here pretty early to fuel the ship. You would have to ask him. He's right over there, the fare is…"
Jason handed over a wad of cash before jumping aboard to talk to him. "Excuse me; can I have just a moment of your time?"
"Sure mate; what can I help you with?"
"My fiancé was on the ship that went down here a couple of days ago. I was wondering if there was anything you witnessed that could be of any value."
"No; I'm sorry. I got here as the rescue boats were coming out. I saw the boat being salvaged from the scene, but I don't know how that could be of any help."
"Do you know where they have the boat now?" Jason asked him.
"It's in the dump yard around the corner."
"Over there?" He pointed.
"That would be it. Are you sure you don't want to take the tour?" The captain asked as Jason started to abort. "The sharks are hungry; guaranteed to be some good photo-ops."
"No, that's…no." Jason declined knowing that if his instincts were wrong then those great whites were the last thing he wanted to be staring out. He wandered towards the junk yard to see the previously sunken ship that had been damaged from wind, water, and the equipment used to bring it to shore, but the part that caught his eye was the side of the stern that had been dented.
He took a breath as he approached it. His hand reached out slowly as if a magnetic force was drawing him to touch it. As he did his mind flashed briefly to the dream he had and he pulled away. Jason sat down resting his back against the side; for whatever reason being there was the closest he had been to being with her in over a week.
************
"Hey Lucky, I just got a call from Lulu. She's staying over at the Drake's tonight." Sam explained as he stepped home.
"How is she doing?" He questioned.
"She sounded okay." Sam replied not being able to give much more than that. "Oh, and by the way, I'm not sure when you made the iced tea in the fridge, but I hope you don't mind me having a glass because I kind of already did."
"What iced tea?" Lucky asked concerned.
"I don't know; I can show you. Maybe somebody left it from the reception I only assumed…" She walked into the kitchen with him to show the picture.
Lucky took it out to look at it and attempted to smell if something was off.
"Lucky…" Sam called out as she started to feel the room spinning. "I don't feel well."
He jumped up to catch her as she collapsed in his arms. "Sam, come on, wake up." He replied urgently. He placed his fingers on her neck feeling her heartbeat grow weaker. "No; no. I'm going to get you help."
He cradled her in his arms to bring her out to his unmarked squad car. After setting her into the passenger's seat he put the car into drive while throwing on the siren. Lucky drove as fast as he the other cars allowed towards General Hospital. He was less than a mile away when a semi pulled out right in front of him. He attempted to slam on his breaks put the momentum of the car plowed into the truck.
