A/N: Thanks to those who are still reading. Hope you continue to like it. Let me know what you think. Happy Reading!!!
Previously....
"Is that Agent Ward?" Lucky asked looking at the female. He could practically feel that money in his hand.
Agent Pembrooke turned around to look.
"No." Pembrooke said. He looked again and then pointed. "She's right behind her. Agent Ward over here." Pembrooke called.
Once the frumpy women moved out of the way that's when Lucky saw Agent Ward walking towards them. From his first glance at her Lucky knew not only did he loose the bet but possible his heart.
Walking towards Lucky was one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. As he watched Agent Ward walk, it was like the world slowed down around Lucky. There was nothing else in the room except her.
Lucky couldn't help but look at Agent Ward like she was a piece of meat and he was a starving animal. It had been so long since a woman had truly caught his attention that his eyes were drinking every inch of her in.
His gaze started at the black pumps she was wearing that gave her a little extra height. The heel was just high enough that she wouldn't tower over anyone and not too short so she wouldn't have to look up at someone .It was just right where she could look whoever she was talking to eye to eye. Lucky continued slowly moved upward and his attention was now caught looking at those long brown chocolate legs of hers. They seemed to go on for days.
Then there was the suit she was wearing. Agent Ward was wearing a dark blue suit with a crisp white shirt and a pencil skirt with a small slit on the side. The skirt came just above her knees giving a professional look with the just the right hint of sexiness that didn't cross the line.
Upward more Lucky's eyes moved. They were now at her neck. A neck that he thought was calling to his lips. Begging Lucky to place gentle kisses against it. Lucky licked his lips at the thought of doing that. Then before Lucky knew it his eyes reached their final destination Agents Wards face. Her skin looked so smooth and flawless. Lucky imagined himself touching her face and it feeling like rose petals across his fingers.
He noticed that she had very little make up on. Usually women will put to much make up on hiding there natural beauty Lucky thought. She didn't make that mistake he noticed. She had just enough on so that what you saw was really her. Her lips were full and plump and just like her neck, Lucky wanted to get to know them both.
When he got to Agent Wards eyes he was disappointed he couldn't get a better look at them because she was wearing glasses. The glasses didn't take away from her beauty, but to Lucky it was like she was hiding herself behind them. Her hair was pulled back and put into a tight bun. Lucky wanted to take the bun out and run his fingers through her hair.
Rodriguez looked over to his partner and could see the man was practically drooling over Agent Ward. To protect his partners pride and that of the department he nudged his partner to bring him out of his stupor. Lucky felt Rodriguez's elbow in his side and that brought him back to reality. He was glad to see that Agent Pembrooke had his back to him and didn't see that juvenile display of his over Agent Ward.
Agent Ward walked over to where Pembrooke was standing with two men. As she got closer she thought one of them looked awfully familiar. She tried to place his face but couldn't. She brushed it off thinking it will come to her soon enough.
"Agent Ward this is.."Agent Pembrooke was about to introduce both men when Rodriguez stepped forward and introduced himself.
"The name's Rodriguez. Detective Cruz Rodriguez, and on behalf of the PCPD I'd like to welcome you to our fair city." Rodriguez said taking Agent Ward's hand in his and kissing it.
Agent Ward chuckled a little while Pembrooke and Lucky silently rolled their eyes at how corny Rodriguez was being. Sometimes Lucky couldn't believe that Rodriguez actually used these moves and that they worked on women.
"Thank you Cruz for the warm welcome but it's more like a welcome home for me. I grew up around here. This is my old stomping grounds." Agent Ward said.
Lucky looked at Agent Ward's face and kept thinking she looked familiar the more he looked at her. He kept trying to place her face but was having trouble.
"My partner here.."Rodriguez said pointing Lucky. "is from here too. Well at least his mother and father are. There practically legends around. Everyone knows Luke and Laura." Rodriguez said.
"Wait.. did you say Luke and Laura? As in Luke and Laura Spencer?" Agent Ward asked.
"Yeah, those are my parents. Did you know them?" Lucky asked.
"Yeah I know them! They were friends of my grandmother, Mary Mae Ward. Oh my god. I don't know why I didn't put it together before. You're Lucky, Luke's son." Agent Ward said.
Then it hit Lucky like a bolt of lighting. She was Mary Mae's granddaughter and Justice's cousin Keesha.
"Keesha? Wow! I haven't seen you in years. I don't know why I didn't put it together either. You look great." Lucky said.
Keesha blushed a little at Lucky's compliment. "Thank you. You look good too Lucky. I mean it's good to see you again."
Agent Pembrooke looked at his watch and thought it was time to get going.
"I hate to break up this little reunion but how about you two continue catching up in the car. We need to check in at the hotel and then get ready to start the de-briefing." Agent Pembrooke said.
"Doug's right. We made reservations to stay at the Metro Court. I think that we should stop there first and drop off our bags then head over to PD. If that's alright with every one?" Keesha said.
"Sounds good. We had most of our belongs sent ahead so they will be waiting for us at the hotel. Our carry ons are the only bags we have." Pembrooke said.
"Alright then let's head out of here. Our car's right outside." Rodriguez said.
"Keesha, can I carry your bags?" Lucky asked.
"Always the gentleman like your dad. I appreciate the offer but I can handle it. Thank you Lucky. " Keesha said.
"I wouldn't put the word gentleman and my dad in the same sentence." Lucky laughed.
"How about jack of all trades?" Keesha said.
"Now that sounds more like my dad." Lucky said making Keesha laugh.
As they walked through the airport to the car Lucky looked at Keesha and thought there was finally something about this case he liked.
*****************************************************************************************************************************************************
Alexis was having another awful dream about Ric dying in her arms. She could hear him calling for her over and over again. His voice was filled with so much pain that her heart ached while she slept. She was glad when she felt someone moving her to wake up. Alexis looked up to see Emily standing over her.
Alexis couldn't read the look on Emily's face to see if things had gotten better or much worse. She looked over to see that Nikolas was still sleeping. Alexis gentle rubbed Nikolas' shoulder to wake him up.
"Nikolas. Nikolas, wake up Emily is here." Alexis said.
Slowly Nikolas woke up. He stretched out and looked around. It took him a second to realize where he was. Then he remembered. Ric had been shot and he was here with Alexis waiting on word to see how his surgery was going.
Once Emily saw that Alexis and Nikolas were both somewhat awake enough to listen she started giving them an update on Ric's condition.
"Hey you two. Did you get any sleep at all?" Emily asked.
"Some." Nikolas said.
"I was in and out but I'll get some more later. Now, what's going on with Ric? Did he make it through the surgery?" Alexis asked.
Emily sat down on the small table in front of Alexis and Nikolas. She pulled off her scrub cap and took a deep breath before she answered Alexis' question.
Alexis took that as sign that this was going to be bad news and grabbed Nikolas' hand like it was her only life line. Every fiber in her body was telling prepare for worst. There is no hope for the best. She cleared her mind and readied herself for the sad news she was about to receive.
Emily grabbed Alexis' free hand looked her in the eye.
"Ric made it out of surgery. He's being prepped right now to be taken to his room. You can visit him as soon as they have him ready." Emily said.
Alexis had readied herself for bad news, she never expected to hear those words come out of Emily's mouth. She was so happy she couldn't hold back her joy. Tears started streaming down her face uncontrollably. She started to sob into Nikolas' shoulder, getting the area she was crying on all wet.
"So, he's going to be ok? He's alright then? The surgery went well? Oh my god I can't believe he is going to be ok."Alexis said through her sobs.
Nikolas looked at Emily and he could see that Emily had more to say but didn't want to take the wind out of Alexis' sail so soon. He rubbed Alexis' back to try and get her to calm down enough so she could her the rest of what Emily had to say.
"I think Emily has more to say." Nikolas said softly.
Alexis looked over to Emily and could see she was waiting patiently for her.
"Emily? Tell me he is going to make it." Alexis said.
Emily wished she could deliver the news that Alexis wanted. She wished she could say that yes, Ric was ok, that he was going to be in the room awake, and waiting for her. Emily really wished she could say those words.
"Alexis, Ric did make it out of surgery but like I said before his body is very weak. We had to place him in a medically induced coma." Emily said.
"A coma? Why?" Alexis asked.
"Being placed in that state will better help Ric's body to recover from the trauma that it received from his wounds." Emily said.
"This is going to help him then?" Alexis asked.
"Yes, we believe this is the best thing for him." Emily said.
"Can I see him?" Alexis asked.
"Sure. Just let me call over to the Nurses Station to see if his room is ready. I'll be right back." Emily said then walked back to the phone near the door to the lounge.
"Don't loose hope yet." Nikolas said.
"I'm trying. I'm trying Nikolas." Alexis said.
"Ok, we'll be right there." Emily said then hung up the phone and started walking back towards Alexis and Nikolas.
"His room is ready. I'll take you there. It's just down the hall from here." Emily said.
Nikolas and Alexis nodded quietly as they gathered their belongs then followed Emily out of the lounge towards Ric's room.
The corridor they walked down was filled with other patients recovering from surgery. As they passed by the rooms Alexis tried not to listen inside the rooms but she couldn't help it since the doors to most rooms were open. Every emotion you could think of was pouring out of each one they passed by. Alexis tried to block each sound and each emotion from her senses. She just kept trying to focus on Emily and walking forward. She almost made it. It wasn't until she started to hear a small faint beeping that her resolve started to crumble. The closer they got to Ric's room the louder the beeping got causing Alexis' steps slowed slowed until they came to a grinding halt a few feet from his room.
Alexis tried to move her legs but she couldn't. She held onto the wall for support that her legs stopped providing. As she stood there she could hear the beeping again. Alexis looked ahead and noticed that Nikolas and Emily hadn't noticed that she stopped. She wanted to call out to them, to tell them to wait for her, but no words came out. A sudden fear of seeing Ric in that state was weaking her resolve.
"I can't do this. I can't do this." Alexis said to herself.
She felt like she having a panic attack. She felt like no air was reaching her lungs. Her palms became sweaty and the corridor felt like it was getting smaller. Alexis turned around and started to run. She had no idea where she was going but anywhere was better than this spot she thought.
Alexis was running so fast she didn't see someone turning the corner. She ran right into someone almost knocking them over. Alexis wasn't even going to stop and see who it was. She was just going to keep running until she couldn't anymore but whoever it was had a firm grip on her.
"Let me go!" Alexis said struggling to get out of whose ever grip she was in.
"Now what kind of ex-husband best friend would I be if I just let you run away like that?"
Alexis looked up slowly and standing in front of her was Jax. She didn't know why he was there and she didn't care. She melted right into his arms and sank to the floor crying.
Jax caught her and held on tight like Alexis' life depended on it. He didn't say anything. He just let her cry. Jax gentle moved strands of stray hair away from Alexis' face. He could see this wasn't the first time she had cried. Her eyes were red and puffy and she looked exhausted.
Some of the hospital staff started to stop and help but Jax waived them off and told them she just need a moment.
"I'm here Alexis. Lean on me." Jax said.
"I can't do it Jax. I can't." Alexis said crying.
"What can't you do?" Jax asked softly.
"I can't see him like that. I can't." Alexis said through sobs.
Jax just nodded his head and continued to hold Alexis close. He could feel her body shaking with each sob.
"I don't want to remember him that way." Alexis said. "If he dies, I don't want to see him like that. Not with all those wires and leads attached to him. His body laying there so lifeless." she said sobbing.
"We can do whatever you want to do. There is no pressure and if anyone tries to make you then they will have to deal with me." Jax said.
Alexis held Jax tighter. He was always her knight and shining armor. Always riding in at the last moment to her rescue. She was so glad to have him in her life.
Alexis looked up at Jax and noticed that he was dressed like he was going to a business meeting or coming from one. Then again, Jax always looked sharp. Whether it was business or pleasure Jasper Jax always looked good.
Alexis suddenly felt bad for keeping him from what ever he was doing. His life shouldn't stop because she was falling apart emotionally.
"I'm sorry Jax. You probably have better things to do than sit here on floor with me. I'm sure you have plenty of business deals that need your attention." Alexis said.
Jax smiled and chuckled.
"Are you kidding me? I heard this is the newest hot spot in Port Charles. Right now you and I are in a very elite club. I think I might just buy this spot." Jax said.
Alexis started laughing.
"You laugh. I could make a lot money here. Place a couple of couches and a bar here and in I'm business." Jax said.
Jax looked at Alexis while she was laughing and was glad that she was smiling and that he could bring just a few moments of happiness to her.
"I'm a coward Jax." Alexis said half laughing and crying.
"No, you're not." Jax said.
"Yes,I am. Who runs away from something like this? What kind of person does that?" Alexis said.
"You are no coward. Not the Alexis Davis I know. She goes where angels fear to tread and takes no prisoners in the courtroom. You are a force to be reckoned with." Jax said.
"I don't know where that women is you're talking about." Alexis said.
"She's still in there." Jax said pointing to Alexis' chest. "She just got a little bit lost. I mean after all, her foundations were rocked a little bit recently. First, it was being a new mommy to little Molly. Then as you start to adjust to that boom, Cancer. Which by the way, you are handling like a real trooper. Last but certainly not least, Ric and Sam, and the crap they pulled." Jax said.
"Which wasn't total there fault." Alexis said.
"We'll throw stones about that later." Jax said. "The point is Alexis, that you have had quite a time this year. No one would blame you if couldn't do this one thing. I think even Ric would understand." Jax said.
"What about Molly? I think she would blame me if I wasn't there for her father. And I wouldn't blame her if she did." Alexis said.
"She's way to young to know what's going on and you're automatically assuming the worst is going to happen." Jax said.
"I do that because that's the world I live in Jax. The world of the Law. I love that there is no middle ground. No gray area. Just black and white. Right and Wrong. Life and Death. I wish life were more like that." Alexis said.
Jax didn't interrupt Alexis he just let her talk.
"I think you give yourself too little credit Alexis. I have seen you have that same passion you have inside the courtroom outside of it. Let me tell what I see. The problem here is so simple that it seems like it's more complicated than it truly is." Jax said.
"Well explain it to me because I can't see it." Alexis said.
"You're afraid of losing." Jax said.
"What? No. I have lost before. I know what it feels like to lose." Alexis said.
"Yes, but not like this. In the courtroom, you lose, you can appeal, which could still give you the win. The problem is that death doesn't always take an appeal when it's made and every time you and he have tangled you have come up on the losing end. He leaves you alone but takes the people around you away." Jax said.
Alexis knew who Jax was talking about. Death took away her mother when she begged for not to go and then her sister Kristina was snatched away from her not once but twice. Now Ric could also be taken away from her and no fancy legal terms or closing arguments could stop it if he was called. Jax was right. She was afraid.
"What does this all mean Sigmund? What do I do now that I admitted I'm afraid?" Alexis said.
"You already know what needs to be done. You just have to do it." Jax said.
Before Alexis could answer Jax she heard Nikolas frantically calling her name. She saw him turning the corner at full speed almost missing them as he kept yelling for her. Emily was right behind Nikolas and spotted Alexis with Jax on the floor. She called Nikolas' name letting him know that she found her. Nikolas quickly turned around and headed back towards Emily.
When he turned the corner he saw Emily was sitting next to Alexis and Jax of all people. He knelt down in front of Alexis and looked over to make sure she was ok.
"Are you ok? I looked everywhere for you. I was so worried" Nikolas said.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you. Either of you. As you can see I'm safe thanks to my white knight here. Thank you Jax. Now, can you please help your aunt off the floor?" Alexis said.
Nikolas and Jax both helped Alexis off the floor. Once Alexis was on her feet neither Nikolas or Jax would let her go until they were sure she could stand on her own. When she nodded that she was ok they both let her go but still stood close by just in case.
"I'm ready now." Alexis said.
"We can wait." Nikolas said.
"There is no rush Alexis." Emily said.
Alexis shook her head and smiled. "I'm fine now. I'm not afraid." she said turning back to Jax who winked at her. "Please take me to his room Emily."
Emily nodded and headed back down the hallway with Alexis.
Nikolas watched as Emily led Alexis down the hall and he started to walk that way when he noticed Jax wasn't following.
"You coming? Nikolas asked.
"I wasn't sure you wanted me there." Jax said.
Jax still left a sour taste in Nikolas' mouth. He still had some deep issues with Jax about keeping him out of Spencer's life for so long. Right now he was willing to put all that aside for the sake of Alexis.
"I can put aside our differences for her. She needs you right now and that means more to me than our "personal problems"." Nikolas said.
"Agreed. We'll table it. For her." Jax said.
"For now." Nikolas said as they started to walk back towards Ric's room.
"So, who told you?" Nikolas asked.
"Carly. She got a call from Sonny telling her he was sending men over because Ric had been shot. By the time she got off the phone Mac was on TV going a press conference about the shooting. I called Alexis' house and Sam told me she was here with you. I told Carly I was on my way here and cleared my schedule to be here for Alexis." Jax said.
"And Carly let you go without protest?" Nikolas asked.
Jax smiled at his wife's infamous temper.
"When does Carly not protest? I told her if she can be there for Jason, then I can be there for Alexis. There is no discussion when it comes to being there for Alexis." Jax said.
"I fully understand." Nikolas said.
When they both reached Ric's room they saw Emily standing outside the room.
"Is she ok?" Nikolas said. He tried to step past Emily when she caught his arm to stop him from going in the room. "What's wrong?" he asked.
"She asked for a moment alone before we went inside." Emily said.
"For what?" Nikolas asked.
"She said something about passing a message on to someone." Emily said shrugging her shoulders.
Nikolas looked from Emily to Jax. He was confused but Jax looked like he understood.
"Don''t worry Nikolas. She's fine. Just give her a minute." Jax said.
Alexis stood at the foot of Ric's bed just looking at him. She looked over to the heart monitor and listened to the beeping every couple of seconds letting her know that Ric's heart was still working. She then moved on to the tube that was going into Ric mouth giving him life sustaining oxygen. On the walk to the room Emily had told her that while Ric was in the coma he would need to be intubated and a tube placed down his throat which would help him breath. As the pump went up and down in a steady rhythm, Alexis watched Ric's chest move up and down. Without even realizing it she started breathing simultaneously with Ric like they were sharing the same air.
Alexis started to walk over to the head of his bed. She wanted to get a better look at Ric's face. Immediately she saw the huge bruise on his jaw and let out a small gasp. Alexis reached out and touched the bruise on Ric's face. When her fingers touched his face she realized this was the first time in months that she had touched him in such an intimate way. Her fingers began to trace the familiar chiseled lines of his face. She missed the feel of his skin against her fingers.
Alexis let her fingers travel up Ric's face to his hair. She let her fingers run though his dark soft locks. She moved some of the strands away from his face. He always hated when she did that but she loved doing it.
Alexis leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on Ric's forehead. She let her lips linger on his skin. She then moved to his lips and placed a soft kiss on them. Again, letting them linger and savoring a touch that she almost forgot.
Alexis moved over to Ric ear and whispered into it.
"Fight. Fight Ric. Fight for Molly. Fight for Kristina. Fight to come back to me. And you tell death, he can't have you. He can't have you because I won't let him take you. I'm not afraid anymore." she whispered.
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"You've got to be kidding me right?" Keesha said.
Keesha was standing at the desk of Metro Court trying to check her and Agent Pembrooke in. The problem was that the computer only showed his reservations and not hers.
As the desk manager tried to look through his computer to find out what happened Keesha felt a headache coming on. She was getting tired and needed a cup of coffee and at least a ten minute breather.
When the news broke about the simultaneous hits, Robert had her working over time on it by gather everything she could about who was hit and where. Keesha was making connections with every law enforcement agency around the world. By the end of all her phones calls and faxes were done, she had a plane ticket to Port Charles sitting on her desk and a smiling Robert Scorpio standing infront of her.
"Time to head home kid." Robert said.
Keesha tried to pass the tickets back to Robert but he refused to take them.
"I don't think I'm the right person for this job. You might want to get a more experienced agent for this one. Plus, I've got to many ghost there." Keesha said.
Robert huffed out a sigh when she said that.
"Who doesn't have ghost in that town?" Robert said. It was more of a statement then a question. "I know I've got a million of them there. Some of them I wasn't ready to face but I knew I had to to get the job done ghost or no ghost. You are the best at what you do Keesha. I wouldn't have given you this assignment if I didn't think you were up to it. I know you have some powerful ghost there. If it bothers that much, I could give this case to someone else if you like? I wouldn't hold it against you." Robert said.
"No. Absolutely not! No one has made the contacts I have and no one knows the city and the people like do. I'll do it."Keesha said.
"That's why I picked you love. You're a tough one and I like that. If I were those ghost, I'd be afraid you were coming back." Robert said.
Keesha was brought out of her thoughts by the clacking of the fingers on the keyboard the desk manager was still hitting.
"Anything yet? Uh...Artie?" Keesha asked looking at the man's name tag.
"I'm sorry Miss Ward. It looks like one of our agents over booked us. I could put both you and Mr Pembrooke in a suite. It over looks the water and has a great view." Artie said.
"A suite sounds great." Doug said. All to quickly for Keesha's liking.
"Let me guess the suit only has one bed right?" Keesha asked.
"Uh..yes." Artie said.
Keesha put her head on the desk and sighed. The last thing she wanted to do was spend time alone with Doug Pembrooke. The whole plane ride the only he talked about was himself . Even though Robert warned her that he was an ass she was willing to him the benefit of the doubt. That's what her grandmother had taught her to do. Then Doug opened his mouth and Keesha threw that benefit of the doubt right out the window.
Keesha leaned over to Artie and gave him her best smile. She could see it was working by the way Artie was looking at her. He looked like he would give her the keys to the hotel if she asked for them.
"Artie. That's a nice name." Keesha said.
"Th-thank you." Artie said.
"Look Artie, I'm really tired. There has got to be something in there you could find me? Anything. I'll even take a broom closet if you've got one. Can you look just one more time? Please?" Keesha said in a little girl voice.
Artie melted. "Sure. I'll look one more time."
"Bless you Artie. Thank you." Keesha said flashing him another grin.
Keesha walked away from the desk and headed over to where the guys where standing.
"Laying it on a little thick weren't you?" Pembrooke said.
"No. I don't." Keesha said.
"We could have easily just shared the room. We are adults." Pembrooke said.
"I think the lady likes her privacy." Lucky said. He was really starting not to like Pembrooke. The whole car ride to the hotel he kept making cracks about the PCPD and how he thought they were just cops in the sticks. Then he would make a half ass apology about it. If it wasn't for Keesha changing the subject each time he made a stupid remark he and Rodriguez might have decked him then dumped his body on the road. The worst was when he tried to make a crack about the PCPD shirt Lucky was wearing.
"Does your department always let their people dress so casual Detective Spencer?" Pembrooke smirked while he was sitting in the front passenger seat.
"They do Agent Pembrooke when the shirt you are wearing is covered in the victim's blood because you were trying to save him." Lucky said.
That quickly shut him up for the rest of the trip.
"It's a suite Detective. That means it's going to be a huge room. She can have all the privacy she wants on the couch and besides, we won't be spending that much time in the room. We'll be working on this case." Pembrooke said.
Keesha rolled her eyes and turned back over to Artie who shook his head and mouth the words "I'm sorry." to her.
Pembrooke smiled and said he was going to confirm the suite and walked over to the desk to talk to Artie.
Keesha walked over to Lucky and Rodriguez.
"There has got to be something else in town? C'mon guys, please help me." Keesha pleaded.
"What about Kelly's" Rodriguez said.
"No way." Lucky said.
"Kelly's isn't that bad. At least I didn't say Jakes." Rodriguez said.
"That's still open?" Keesha asked.
"Oh yeah. I don't think that place will ever close." Rodriguez said.
Lucky was about to say something when he heard someone calling Keesha's name.
"Keesha? Keesha Ward is that you?" an older voice said.
All three looked over to see Edward Quartermain walking towards them.
"Edward!" Keesha said.
"I thought that was you." Edward said hugging her. "You look so much like your grandmother." he said.
"Thank you Edward." Keesha said.
"So what brings you to Port Charles and why didn't you call me and let me know you were coming young lady?" Edward said pulling out of his hug.
Keesha chuckled. Same old Edward she thought.
"It was all so short notice Edward that I didn't have time to call you. I'm sorry. Anyway, I'm here working on a case for the WSB." Keesha said.
"The WSB? Those riff raff? I would have loved to have seen you work at ELQ. You would have gone very far there." Edward said.
"Thank you Edward. I didn't expect to be working there either, it just happened." Keesha said.
"Speaking of riff raff. Have you seen your father lately Lucky?" Edward asked.
"He's not my riff raff anymore Edward. He's yours since he married Tracy. The answer is no though. I haven't seen him. It's that time of the season when he likes to spread his wings and leave the nest. So tell Tracy she probably will hear from when he needs bail money." Lucky said.
"What? Luke is married to Tracy?" Keesha said in disbelief.
"Long Story." Lucky and Edward both said.
"Oh."Keesha said.
"Where are you staying my dear? I would love to have dinner with you while you are here." Edward said.
"Well, I thought I would be staying here but it seems like they lost my reservations. So right now I'm homeless. I was thinking of just getting a room at Kelly's until the Metro Court has something available." Keesha said.
"Oh no. You won't be staying here or at the hole in ground Kelly's. I insist you come stay with us at the mansion." Edward said.
Keesha was touched by Edward's offer to let her stay at his home but she couldn't stay there. That place held one to many ghost for her. Some dead, some still walking around. She also remembered that the Quartermains were notorious for their arguments and their snooping. She would never get any work done if she had to play referee and security guard.
"This would be a good time for you to ride in and save the day." Rodriguez whispered to Lucky.
"What are you talking about?" Lucky whispered back.
"Dude, did you not see the look on her face when old man Quartermain said she could stay at his house. I thought she was going to bolt for the door. She doesn't want to stay with them. I mean c'mon would you? Those people are crazy. And she sure doesn't wanna stay with Dougie over there. The guy's an ass." Rodriguez said.
"Cruz, I still don't see what you're saying?" Lucky said.
"Ok, I'll talk slower for you. You.. have.. a.. big.. house. It's..just.. you..living.. there. Offer.. her.. a.. place ..to..stay." Rodriguez said.
"What?! No. I can't. What would Elizabeth say?" Lucky said.
"She might say great. You're moving on. I'm so happy for you. You're not asking the woman to marry you Lucky, you're just offering her a way out." Rodriguez said.
"I guess." Lucky huffed out.
"Plus it will earn you some brownie points. So vamos my friend. Save her before it's too late." Rodriguez said patting Lucky on the back.
Lucky walked over to where Keesha and Edward were. He could hear she was trying to find a polite way to tell Edward no but he was not taking no for an answer.
"I don't mean to interrupt but if I may. Keesha you could stay at my house. I have plenty of room. Plus I live close by the PD." Lucky said.
"She is staying with us Lucky." Edward said.
"Are you sure Lucky? I wouldn't want to intrude? What would your wife say?" Keesha said looking at the band on Lucky's finger.
"He's not married anymore. Elizabeth is with that no good..." Edward said.
Lucky rolled his eyes at Edward. The man sometimes has no tact.
"He's right. Elizabeth and no longer married." Lucky said interrupting Edward. "We have been divorced now for about six months. So it's just me." Lucky said.
Keesha turned to Edward. "I would love to stay at your home..." she said.
Lucky frowned when Keesha agreed to stay at Edwards and was about to go back to where he was before but she grabbed his arm. ".... but I'm going to be staying at Lucky's. I appreciate the offer but I would never get anything done while I was at your home. Cook would fill my belly with too many of her good treats and while I was there... I would think too much of the past. I hope you understand." Keesha said taking Edwards hand in hers.
Edward nodded and patted Keesha's hand. "I understand my dear and I hold no ill will. I just hope to see you while you are here. I want to hear all about what you have been up to and maybe we can make some new memories to replace some of those old ones." Edward said.
"I'd like that and thank you for understanding." Keesha said.
"You are family my dear. Don't ever let anyone tell you different. Now I have to go. I'm having lunch with an ELQ investor. You take good care of her while she is here Spencer or there will be hell to pay." Edward said.
"I will Edward. Don't worry" Lucky said.
"Good. Take care my dear." Edward said kissing Keesha's cheek.
"You too Edward." Keesha said kissing Edward's cheek.
Edward waived his good byes then walked off towards the Elevators to meet his investor upstairs for lunch.
Keesha felt her eyes start to sting from the flood of emotions she was feeling at seeing Edward again. It made her think of her grandmother Mary Mae, her cousin Justice, and him. Three people who were now all lost to her. All dead and gone with no way to come back.
Lucky looked at Keesha and could see she was trying to keep her composure together. He wanted to take her in his arms and hold her but this wasn't the right place for that or the right time.
"Keesha? You don't really have to stay at the house you know. I was just trying to offer you a way out of the Quartermain madness." Lucky said.
Keesha looked at Lucky and was grateful for the distraction he just offered.
"No Lucky I want to stay. I mean if the offer still stands?" Keesha said.
Lucky smiled bigger than he had intended.
"Uh no. No. It still stands. Why don't you have the hotel bring your belongs out here and we'll take it over to my house then head over to the PD." Lucky said.
"Ok sounds good. I'll let Doug know that his dreams of a suite and my sleeping on the couch are dead." Keesha said then walked over to the desk.
Rodriguez walked over to his parter who was still grinning from ear to ear.
"See was that so hard?" Rodriguez asked slapping Lucky's back.
"You have no idea. Thanks for the push." Lucky said. "Here you go." Lucky said passing Rodriguez the money he owed him.
"What this for?" Rodriguez asked.
"The money I owe you. That was the best bet I ever lost." Lucky said.
Lucky heard his cell phone ringing in his pocket. He pulled out his phone and saw Mac's name.
"I want one of those." Rodriguez said looking at Lucky's Iphone.
"Next time Nikolas is in a generous mood I'll have him get you one." Lucky said as he answered the phone.
"Spencer! Where are you guys? Did you get the agents?" Mac asked.
Mac was on his third cup of coffee since the press conference and had already been on the phone with Mayor Floyd three times since. Any patience Mac had was gone two coffee cups and three phone calls ago.
"Yes sir, we have them. They had some problems checking in but it's all solved now. We will be at the PD in about twenty minutes." Lucky said.
"Good. I want to get the ball rolling on this. Dammit!" Mac said. He looked at the incoming phone call and saw it was Mayor Floyd again.
"You ok Mac?" Lucky asked.
"Don't ask me stupid questions Spencer. Of course I'm not ok. Mayor Floyd is calling me for a fourth time and I'm about to yell for my secretary to just go to Kelly's and get me some real damn coffee. Get those Agents down here so I can tell Mayor Floyd they are are here and we are working on finding out who shot Lansing." Mac said.
"We'll be there and I'll bring you in the coffee." Lucky said.
"Thanks. See you in twenty minutes." Mac said then hung up.
"Mac sounded pissed." Rodriguez said.
"That's an understatement my friend." Lucky said.
"Hey guys we are all set. They are bring all my belongs up front as we speak." Keesha said.
"How did Pembooke take not getting his suite?" Lucky asked.
"Well he will still be getting his suite. Artie had already done so much work trying to reserve it for me and I felt so bad I just told him to let Doug have it. He of course had no problem keeping it." Keesha said.
A bell boy walked up with Keesha's three suit cases.
"Where is your car ma'am?" the bell boy asked.
"Lucky, why don't you and Agent Ward go to your house and drop off her bags. I'll call the station and have one of the rookies pick up me and Pembrooke." Rodriguez said handing Lucky the keys to the car.
"You sure?" Lucky asked taking the keys.
"I'm sure. Besides you need to bring Mac his coffee."Rodriguez said.
"Right." Lucky said. "Ok, you two follow me to the car and then we'll head out." Lucky said.
"Great." Keesha said as she and the bell boy followed Lucky to his car.
After dropping Keesha's bag's off at Lucky's home they both headed over to Kelly's to pick up some much needed coffee for Mac.
As Lucky drove through Port Charles Keesha was amazed at how much the town had managed to stay the same. Yes, there were some major changes like the Metro Court and Kate Howard's new home but much of the town has stayed the same.
The major change she noticed was the man she was sitting next to, Lucky Spencer. Keesha couldn't believe how much Lucky had changed from a cute little boy to a very attractive man. She always thought Lucky was cute back in High School but he was two years younger than her and she already dating someone so she never put much thought into him. She remembered Lucky as quite the little charmer back in High School and that he always with Elizabeth Webber, Emily Quartermain, and the new guy in town Nikolas Cassadine. They were known as the four musketeers.
Keesha couldn't believe that after all these years how easy it was to be around Lucky. She hadn't seen him since Justice's funeral several years ago. She remembered that he tried to offer his condlences but she quickly brushed him and others and there at the funeral off. All she wanted to do was get away and feel the pain of yet again having lost another family member.
Now looking back Keesha wished that she had stopped that day and listen to Lucky. Every time Lucky called her name her heart would skip a beat. She had to fight the urge to keep from looking at Lucky in way that would let him know she was very interested. There were times while riding in the car she would just get lost listening to his voice. He sounded so confident, so sure of himself, two rare qualities in men these days she thought.
Keesha looked at Lucky's face and noticed his eyes when he smiled or laughed. They became so bright and full of life and then as soon as the moment was over they were filled with a hint sadness that she could easily relate to. She wanted to take away the pain from those beautiful eyes of his. Keesha told herself when this case was over she was going to find a way to keep the sadness out of those beautiful green eyes of Lucky's.
When they pulled up to Kelly's Keesha couldn't believe how much the place looked the same. She got out the car and walked up to the window and looked inside. It was like the place was frozen in time. Keesha wasn't really sure she wanted to walk in a place that held so many memories for her both good and bad. The choice of not entering was taken away from her when Lucky held the door open for her. Keesha put her best smile on and told herself she had to go in sometime, might as well get it over with now. She thanked Lucky and walked inside.
"I can't believe this place still looks the same. I mean even the table cloths are still the same." Keesha said.
"Yeah I know. Why change a good thing when you got the formula right." Lucky said.
"I agree." Keesha said.
"Hey, it's only gonna take me a second to get the coffee from Mike do you wanna have a seat while I get it?" Lucky asked.
"Who's Mike?" Keesha asked taking a seat at the table in the back corner.
"Mike is now in charge of Kelly's. Aunt Bobbie doesn't have time to run the place because of her work at the hospital and my dad is never here long enough so they hired Mike. Who is also Sonny's father." Lucky said.
"Sonny Corinthos. The mobster with a heart. I remember him very well. I have to admit I always thought he was spawned not born." Keesha said.
"No love loss between you and Sonny huh?" Lucky said.
"He helped take two things very precious to me away. So yeah, there is no love loss between myself and Sonny." Keesha said.
Lucky didn't answer. He just nodded. He knew exactly who Keesha was talking about.
"I'll go get that coffee now. You want anything?" Lucky asked going behind the counter.
"Got anything sweet?" Keesha asked.
"Something sweet coming right up." Lucky said as he disappeared in the back.
As Keesha waited for Lucky she started to look around the room trying to find anything that would occupy her mind so it wouldn't drift to the past. She didn't want to think of him. A boy she lost so many years ago. The problem was they were connected in some small way to everything in this room. Even the seat she was sitting in now held a memory of them be together. This was her favorite seat when they sat together. She always chose this seat so she could look directly into his piercing blue eyes and get lost in them for hours. Then there was his he would smile, her world world stop. His smile always seemed like it was just for her and his kisses, always let her know that he loved her and only her.
Keesha became mad at herself. This is exactly what she didn't want to do. She didn't want to think of him. She didn't want to let the past consume her thoughts.
Keesha got up from her seat and quickly walked over to the counter. Behind the counter was a blond haired young girl. She was ringing up one of the receipts when Keesha called her.
"Excuse me." Keesha said then looked at her name tag. "I'm sorry... Lulu. I don't mean to bother you but is a Detective Spencer back there?" Keesha asked.
"Yeah he's my brother. Do you need something?" Lulu asked.
"Wait, your his sister? Wow you have grown up. The last time I saw you I was holding you in my arms. I'm Keesha Ward." Keesha said.
"Right. Lucky was just telling me about you. He said your an old family friend and that you are also here on a case. Do you need me to get him. Lucky!" Lulu yelled.
"No, no, no. If you could just tell him I'm going to be sitting outside. It's a nice day and I need the air." Keesha said.
"You sure you don't want me to get him?" Lulu asked.
"No, I'll be fine. Thank you Lulu and it's really good seeing how lovely you have become. You look just like your mom." Keesha said turned around to start heading towards the door.
"Hey Keesha! I think he is done. You sure you don't want to wait just a minute for him?" Lulu said.
"Just tell him I'll be outside. Thanks." Keesha said.
Keesha was so distracted at trying to answer Lulu and hurry out of there she didn't here the door open. She bumped into a body and it was rock solid.
"I'm so sor..ry." Keesha said slowly.
Keesha looked up into the last face she wanted to see. It was the face of two different people sharing the same body. One was the boy she loved so long ago and the other was the thief who stole him from her. Standing before her was none other..... than Jason Morgan.