Jumping down the remaining distance between him and the ground,
Nikolas turned around to help the girls.
“All right Nikolas, now where is Lucky?!” Elizabeth whispered harshly.
“He’ll be here in a minute, I swear.” Nikolas answered, averting eye
contact.
“You’re lying.” Liz said blankly, staring at Nikolas, then the ground,
and back again.  “Do you know if he’s okay?”
Emily stared at him as nervously as Liz.  “Nikolas, you have to tell
us.” She said.
“He, uh, he went to distract Daniel while we got to the car.” Nikolas
said.  He then quickly grabbed one of their hands in each of his and ran
toward the car.  In his head he knew he had to get them to safety before
what he said sank in and the fear took them over.  It hurt his heart
just as much to have Lucky in there, but he wouldn’t let his brother
risk his life for nothing.

“Lucky.  What a pleasant surprise.” Daniel said cordially.  “I was
hoping you would drop in tonight.  I thought your brother would be
along, too.”
Swiveling back and forth in the chair, with his feet still on the desk,
Lucky gave Daniel an unamused look.  “I didn’t tell Nikolas of the
letter, I don’t want you near him.  And sending me a letter threatening
two of my closest friends’ lives if I don’t show is hardly hoping I’d
come, it’s more of a threat.”
“A threat you brought all on yourself.” Daniel replied.  “If you had
just cooperated the first time, this wouldn’t have been necessary.  But
no, you have to keep fighting me.”
“Just what is it you want from me?” Lucky asked.  “I know this isn’t all
about the Cassadine Empire and the Ice Princess anymore.  One, the
Princess is out of the bank and you could easily steal it, and two, you
only need Nikolas for the Empire.  We both know this runs deeper.”
“I’m impressed, young Spencer.” Daniel said.  “I would have thought with
your up bringing, you wouldn’t be so ‘learned’.”
Swinging his feet to the floor, Lucky glared at Daniel.  “I have more
brains than you could ever pretend to have.”
 “But you weren’t smart enough to escape me for good, were you?” Daniel
persisted.
Slowly, a smile spread across Lucky’s face.  “Wrong again.  See, I know
what true power is for you.  Getting someone to do everything you say,
and giving in to you completely.  You want to have complete control of
their mind.  That’s why you’re still so determined to have me here.
Taking over the Cassadines is a good cover story, and I truly believe
you want that.  But there is something more, something you can’t have.”
Daniel frowned at him.  “Enough of this chit chat, why don’t we get to
why I requested you come.”
“I got a better idea.  Why don’t we get to why I came.” Lucky said,
continuing quickly before Daniel could interrupt.  “You noticed the
first time you kidnapped me, I’m sure, and you knew the last time, that
you didn’t control me.  My mind is my own.  Come clean, Danny boy.  Tell
me what it is you love most about being a hit man.”
Daniel searched his eyes back and forth, menacingly, but Lucky never
looked away.
“Ok.  If this is the way you want to play it out, I’m game.  It’s sort
of refreshing to have a challenge, really.  What do I love most about
it?  Seeing the fear in their eyes, and knowing I put it there.  Taking
over the whole world would not hold the satisfaction that I get from
determining the way a person feels.  It’s the highest control one could
achieve.”
Standing up inches from Daniel’s face, Lucky dropped his voice to a
whisper.  “I’m that last mountain now, right?  I’m that one peak that
you just can’t seem to climb.  I’m not afraid of you, and you can’t
change that.”
“I think I can.  Remember that little girl I have upstairs?  Not the
Quartermaine, though I’m sure you care for her.  I’m talking about Liz,
your ‘true love’.  Her life is hanging in the balance of you
cooperation.”
Stepping back, Lucky began to laugh.  “Once again, you think you have
control.  Like I told Nikolas when we got here, your ego will be your
downfall.”
Daniel glared at Lucky.  He didn’t have to check, he knew the girls were
gone.  Lucky’s eyes told him that.  But he would not lose yet.
“What about your own life?  You can’t possibly think you’ll get out of
here.”
“No, from your point of view I can’t.  But remember my last name?
Spencers know how to handle situations like this, it’s what they live
for.”  Lucky reached behind his back and lifted the gun hidden under his
jacket out of his jeans.  He pointed it crookedly at Daniel.  “I think
I’ll leave now.  I’ll see you soon in court, after I and everyone else
press charges.”  Turning to leave, he stopped when he heard the other
door to the room open and a way to familiar voice call his name.

“How long has it been since you last saw him?” Liz asked from the
backseat.
Nikolas glanced down at his watch.  “Eighteen minutes.”
“That only leaves two before we’re supposed to leave.”  Emily said
quietly.  She turned to Nikolas with tears coming to her eyes.  “We
can’t do that.”
Looking at her, and glancing back at Liz’s terrified face in the
rearview mirror, Nikolas couldn’t take it anymore.  Quickly, nearly in
one motion, he got out of the car and pulled Emily into the driver’s
seat, and ducked his head back in the window.  Emily stared at him with
wide eyes, and Liz looked at him with hope.  Reaching up, Nikolas took
Emily’s face in her hands.  “If any one comes, you take off, okay?”
Looking at him with frightfully, Emily began to open her mouth when
Nikolas brought his finger to her lips.
“I can’t leave my brother in there Emily, I can’t.  Now don’t worry
about me, because I’m not going to give up until we both come out of
there.  But listen, if anyone finds you out here, you get yourself, and
Liz, to safety.  Lucky and I will find another way.”  Watching the tears
slowly raining down her face, Nikolas wiped one away with his thumb.
Leaning in, he gave her a soft kiss on the lips.  “I love you Emily.”
Shocked with everything that was happening, Emily could only get her
voice out in a whisper.  “I love you too, Nikolas.”
He smiled at her, and then turned and looked at Liz, who leaned forward
and stuck her hand out the window to grab Nikolas’ arm.
“You’ll come back with him?” She asked in small, yet assured voice.
“Yes, I’ll come back with him, Liz.”
Liz leaned back and nodded as a smile appeared on her face.  “Tell him I
love him.”
“I will Liz, but I know he’ll want to hear you say it himself.  He loves
you too.”
Turning back to Emily, he reached in and turned the ignition.  The car
purred softly in response.  He then grabbed her hands and placed them on
the wheel.
“Just push the pedal on the right and steer, ok?”
Without waiting for her response, he took off to the house.
Turning around to look at Liz, the girls locked hands and sat nervously
for a few minutes.
Emily rolled up the window, and put the car in drive with her foot on
the brake.  Each second that went by brought with it more worry than the
last.  Suddenly, someone pressed their face and hands up to the window
behind the driver’s.  Liz screamed, and was quickly joined by Emily.
Pushing the accelerator to the floor, the car sped down the road.

Chapter 36

“Ahhhh!” Stefan screamed, as he bounced on one foot and held the other
in his hands.  Jason walked up behind him and watched the retreating car
over his shoulder.  He then reached up and slapped Stefan upside the
head.  Having trouble balancing on one foot anyway, the added force to
his head knocked Stefan to the ground.
“My I ask you what that was for?” He spit out.
“For being a doofus.” Jason replied.  “Did you think scaring them half
to death would help?”
“I was merely anxious to see if they were all in there and safe.” Stefan
replied.
Lazily getting out of the van and squatting down in front of Stefan,
Luke smiled.  “What’s the matter Count?  Did the big bad Quartermaine
run over your little footsie?”
“I’m glad to see someone is being entertained by all of this.” Stefan
returned.

“Emily!  Emily!” Liz yelled.  “Emily stop! Sto..”  Liz was cut off as
the car screeched to halt and she was tossed into the front seat.
“What is it?”  Emily asked with panic in her eyes.  “We’re supposed to
be getting out of here.  That’s what Nikolas said to do.”
Liz pulled herself up to sit right in the seat.  “Yes, but you have us
headed toward the house!  We need to go the other way.”
Emily realized that she was right.  “Okay, but we need to hurry.”
Pushing the accelerator back down, she did a sudden U-turn.

Luke looked up as he heard the car coming back.
“Well, this is a little luck, at least.  Maybe we can get them to stop.”
He said.  Watching how fast the car was coming, he realized they weren’t
planning on stopping.
“Hey Vlad, help me out here.  They’re going to speed right by us.”
“What do you suggest Spencer?” Stefan asked, as he hobbled to his feet.
“You stand on that side of the road, I’ll get this side.  When I say go,
jump and try to get a handle on the trunk.  Once they see us in the
mirror, they’ll stop.”
“Won’t that be rather difficult to accomplish?”  Stefan asked.
“Of course.  That’s why two of us are trying.  At least one of us is
bound to land on the pavement or fall off.”  Luke said grinning.
Stefan shook his head and looked to the sky as if it held some answer.

“Liz!  I can’t see anything!” Emily yelled.
“Lights, Emily, lights!” Liz returned.
“Where are they?”  Emily asked.  Trying everything, she swerved back and
forth across the road, windshield wipers swishing back and forth.
“No, that’s wrong.” Liz said.  “Here.”  Reaching over Emily to turn on
the lights, she was jerked from side to side as the car swerved, and she
bumped the brights on, just as they were nearing Stefan and Luke.

Shielding his eyes, Luke stumbled back from the road.  “Wo..” He said.
“Go?!” Stefan asked, and jumped.
“Hey, Em, stop!  It’s Luke!” Liz yelled, and Emily slammed on the
brakes.  Blinded by the light, misunderstanding Luke, and being all
around nervous, Stefan ended up landed on the hood, his face pressed to
the windshield.  Finding herself staring straight into his eyes with
only glass between them, Emily began to yell at the top of her lungs.
Jason ran over, and nearly knocked down Liz, who was exiting on the
passenger side.  He crawled in the car and calmed Emily down.
“It’s okay, Em, it’s just Stefan.  He’s scary, but he won’t hurt you.”
Jason said soothingly.
“Oh, thank goodness it’s just you guys!” Emily exclaimed, and threw her
arms around Jason.  They both turned at the knock on the glass.
“If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, Ms. Quartermaine, could you please
turn off the wipers?” Stefan asked.
Jason laughed, and turned them off, laughing harder as they came to a
stop hitting him on the head.
Helping, well, more like pulling, Stefan off of the hood, Luke slapped
him on the back.  “Remind me to tell the boys how ridiculous you looked
when we get them back.” He said, then turned serious.  “Girls, I’m glad
you’re both safe.”
“Thank you Mr. Spencer, but Lucky is still in there.” Liz said.  “He
went to distract Daniel for us, and then Nikolas took of to the house
after him”
Seeing they were rather distraught, Alexis pulled them both over to the
van they had came in.  “Why don’t you girls sit tight in here with me,
okay?” She asked.  “Luke, Jason, Laura, and Stefan will go get the
boys.”  The girls nodded, and got in.
Giving Laura a grateful smile through the van window, she turned to the
others.  “Well, we are far enough from the house, at least, that they
shouldn’t have heard too much.”
Luke nodded.  “Right, so let’s go get our boys.”

“Lucky!” The voice called again.  Feeling his heart nearly drop out of
him, he slowly turned around.  He stared into the eyes of Helena
Cassadine, and gave her an evil glare.  Then his eyes traveled down to
the little girl still persistently calling his name.
“Lulu?” He asked, in a hoarse whisper.  Dropping to his knees, he held
his arms out.  “Lulu, come here darlin’”
Leslie Lu tried to run to him, but Helena held her back by the
shoulders.  Lucky looked up at her in shock, and noticed slightly that
Daniel had the same expression.
“Once again, Daniel, your plan has failed, and you’re lucky, no pun
intended, that I’m here to back you up.”
Lucky looked at them both, his head spinning.  Somehow, he had come to
think of Helena as someone who wouldn’t stop him from leaving, someone
who would be a friend.  His face turned to horror as he now saw her pull
out a knife.
“Why don’t you put the gun down, Lucky?” She said absently.  “It might
serve in your sister’s best interest.
Shaking, Lucky placed the gun on the floor and stood back up.  Helena
looked over at Daniel triumphantly.  “Well, Mr. Forst, how do like that?
I overheard you conversation in here, and it appears I have done what
you couldn’t.  I put the fear back in his eyes.”
“Well, Helena, you’ve bested me this time, but it won’t last my dear.”
He said, and looked down at Lulu.  “Hello Leslie Lu, come here my
sweetie.”
Lulu made no movement, and Helena wouldn’t have let her, anyway.
“I don’t think so, Daniel.” She said.  “Little Leslie Lu will be quite
fine with me, as well Lucky and Nikolas.  Did you really think I’d let
you take over the Empire?  Your not even blood.”
Daniel glared at her.  “Don’t do something you will regret, Helena.”
“I already have.” She replied.  “I’ve let you live far too long.”
Lucky moved closer to Helena while she was engrossed in her conversation
with Daniel.  He sent Lulu a reassuring smile.  Squirming in Helena’s
grasp to get to her brother, Lulu knocked over the desk chair next to
her.  Startled by the noise, Helena let her guard down.  Daniel pounced
on her in a second, twisting the knife out of her hands.
“Lulu, come on!” Lucky yelled.  Lulu ducked under Helena, and ran to
Lucky, but was stopped as Daniel grabbed her dress and pulled her back.
She screamed and started to cry.  Panicked by the situation, Lucky
grabbed the gun again.  Daniel smiled at Helena, with Lulu in one hand
and the knife in the other.
“Like I said, my dear, it won’t last.  I have the upper hand once
again.”  He said.  They both looked up startled when they heard Lucky’s
voice.
“No!  Neither one of you wins this time.”  He had the gun pointed at
Daniel, his hand shaking hard.  Daniel frowned at the look in his eyes.
They were frantic, and nearly unstable..

Chapter 37

     This time was different than when Lucky had the gun pointed at him
before.  It had just been for insurance then that he would be able to
leave. Now, Daniel thought, he might just go through with it.
“Let my sister go.” Lucky said, bringing his other hand up to the gun as
well to steady himself.  He still shook, and his voice came out
strangled. “I’m tired of this. You hurting me and my family.  But it’s
going to be over soon.”
Helena backed herself up against the wall, taking the situation in with
wide eyes.  She needed to get herself out of this, before her son and
Luke showed up, which they surely would.
“Lulu, come here kiddo.” Lucky said softly, holding a hand out to her.
Daniel looked at both of them, and then let go of Lulu.  She ran over to
Lucky and hid behind him.  “It’s okay, sis.  It’s all okay now.”

Alexis reached over and turned off the radio no one was paying attention
too.  She got up and climbed into the back, next to the girls.
“I hope you both realize this is the end of it all.  Daniel and Helena
will got to prison for the rest of their lives, and this time tomorrow
we’ll all be safe and sound at home.” She said.  Emily and Liz nodded at
her.
“I can’t imagine growing up this way.” Liz said.  “Do you think Lucky
had to feel like this all the time?”
“No. No, I don’t.” Alexis said.  “The Spencers’ life was probably more
hectic than we care to imagine, but I think that it suited them just
fine.  They moved a lot, and yes, their lives were in danger.  But it
was just a big adventure to all three of them.  They’ve spent some time
apart lately, but you can always see the connection between them.  They
got through everything for each other, and that’s a feeling that can
only make you happy.”
She got smiles from both girls, and then changed the subject.
“By the way, there is something I’ve been wondering about.  We came in
this van, and the other one is at the hotel still.  Just where in the
world did that car Lucky and Nikolas drive here come from?”
The girls looked at each other, thinking the same thing.  Yep, Lucky
loved adventure all right.  Catching on, Alexis gasped, but then all of
their faces broke out in a grin.

Nikolas crept up on the house, and jumped out of his skin when a hand
suddenly came down over his mouth.  He looked up into the eyes of Luke
Spencer, who silently brought a finger up to his lips, and then let go
of him.  Turning around, he saw Laura and Stefan with him.  They
followed Luke up to front of the house, where, after scanning for a
little bit, Luke walked right through the front door.  They were in a
spacious, empty room. Walking into the center, Luke knew this wasn’t a
man to try and sneak around.  He had to be faced.  Bringing his hands
up, he cupped them around his mouth.  “Daniel Forst, you have a visitor.
Get out here now, and you better bring my unharmed son with you.”

Everyone looked to the door when they heard Luke Spencers’ voice echoing
down the hall.  Lucky glanced at Helena and Daniel, and then crouched
down next to his sister.  “Lulu, I need you to do something for me.  I
want you to run out the door and go to daddy.  Can you do that?”  He
asked.  Lulu nodded.  Lucky smiled, and kissed her on the cheek.
“You’re so brave.  I love you.”  Lulu ran to the door.  She turned back
and looked at Lucky again, and then left to find her daddy.  Lucky
turned back around, and raised the gun again.  “What kind of monsters
are you?  Competing for some stupid place at the head of a family, and
using children to get it?” Moving closer, he stood over Daniel, who was
crouched on the floor from his struggle with Helena for the knife.  “You
are the poorest excuse for a human being I have ever seen.  You hurt
others for your own pleasure, and that’s disgusting.  Only someone made
of pure evil could do that.”  Lucky swallowed hard.  “But you still
can’t make me afraid of you.  You know what you’re seeing right now?
Hate.  Hate for a man who is so empty hearted and cruel inside that even
if he destroyed everyone and everything in sight he still wouldn’t be
happy.  Hate for you.  You don’t deserve to live.”
Daniel leaned back on his elbows as far as he could as Lucky came ever
closer, and kneeled beside him.  Smiling distantly, yet triumphantly, he
pressed the end of the gun against Daniel’s forehead.  “The fear is in
your eyes, now, Daniel.” He whispered in his ear.  “I win.”
No longer trembling, Lucky took the knife from Daniel and placed it on
the desk.  Turning his eyes to Helena, they clouded over.  “For awhile I
trusted you.” He said, and shook his head. “For awhile.”
Helena looked at him with a saddened face.  “Sometimes a person will go
to great lengths after a goal they desire, and then push it away when
they realize they just might accomplish it.  I don’t expect you to
understand, Lucky, I don’t myself.”
Lucky looked at her with his mind racing.  He just didn’t know what to
make of her.  “You’re right, I don’t understand.  But I also think I
don’t want to.”

They all jumped as the door was knocked in, and it fell to the floor
along with Luke.  He jumped up quickly, and engulfed Lucky in a hug.  He
finally pulled back, and wiped a hair out his son’s face.  “You okay
Cowboy?” He asked.
Lucky nodded, and then got a strange expression on his face.  “You know,
the door was unlocked.  You could have just turned the knob instead of
knocking it off its hinges.”
Luke laughed loudly, and hugged his son again, joined this time by his
wife and daughter.  When they looked up, Nikolas and Stefan had Daniel
on his feet, with his hands tied behind his back.  Lucky scanned the
room for Helena.  Not there, and the other door was wide open.  He
sighed.  Maybe it was best this way.
“Good job, Vlad.  Any sign of Mommy Deadliest?” Luke asked.
Stefan shook his head.  “No, but she couldn’t have gotten far.  I’ll
search the grounds.”
“Good.” Luke said.  “Lucky, Nikolas, why don’t you both go with your
mother and sister and let the girls know you’re okay.”
“Luke, aren’t you coming.  I want us all out of here.” Laura said.
“I’ll be along in a minute, darlin’.” Luke said.
The boys, Laura, and Lulu headed out the door for the van, and Stefan
went off to look for Helena.  Once he was sure everyone was out of
sight, Luke stared at Daniel and took a step forward.
“Well, Mr. Forst, I think it’s about time we had a little chat.”
 

Chapter 38

     Luke glared at Daniel for a long time before speaking.  “You’ve
gotten away with far too much for far too long.”  He said, as he lazily
pulled out a cigar, lit it, and placed it haphazardly in his mouth.
Smiling dangerously at Daniel, he continued.  “But that’s all over now.”
Daniel smiled back at him, amused.  “And who says it’s all over?” He
asked.  “No jail cell could keep me detained for long.”
Luke’s smile turned to one of disgust, as he grabbed Daniel’s collar in
his fist and pushed him against the wall.  Moving till he was just
inches from his face, Luke blew out the smoke from his cigar.  Daniel
coughed and turned away, but Luke roughly pulled his chin to face him.
“Listen to me you bastard.  If you ever even think about my son in that
devil warped mind of yours, you won’t live to regret it.”  Stepping
back, Luke took a long draw from his cigar, and then looked back at
Daniel.  “You better hope jail can hold you, because it’s the only place
you’ll be safe.  Cause if you ever step foot outside of it, I’ll kill
you before you can finish your first breath of fresh air.”
“You’ll be the one to regret all this.” Daniel breathed.  “Maybe not
today, but soon.”
“And maybe not tomorrow, but soon, and for the rest of my life, right
Scarlet?” Luke asked irritated.  “Well guess what darlin’, I really
don’t give a damn.  Now let’s get going, the Port Charles Police
Department has a bed waiting on you to warm it.”
Luke walked over and grabbed Daniel by the arm to lead him out, and
Daniel resisted.  Fed up with him, Luke responded by pushing him to his
knees and holding the lit end of his cigar to the back of his neck.
Daniel yelled out in agony.  Luke leaned down to whisper in his ear.
“Haven’t been convinced yet?”  He asked, as he pushed the cigar further
into his skin.  Daniel’s face contorted in pain and sweat poured down
his forehead.  Luke took pleasure in this.  “Now I want to know that
you’re going to be a good boy and do what Papa Luke says.  Are you going
to be a good boy?”
Daniel remained silent, so Luke twisted his arm as well.  “I’m waiting
for your answer.” Luke said through gritted teeth.  “Are you going to be
good?”  Daniel nodded, and Luke pulled the cigar away from his neck.
Dropping the cigar to the floor and stomping it out, he then pulled
Daniel to his feet and pushed him out the door.

Outside the house, Lucky stared back at it.  Jason, Laura, and Nikolas
stopped and watched him.  Laura walked to stand behind him, and laid a
hand on his shoulder.  Lucky turned and smiled at her, enveloping her in
a hug.
“It’s all over now mom.” He whispered, his joy pouring through in his
words.
Laura smiled at him as she pulled back and took his face in her hands.
“Yes it is.” She said.  “You beat this, and I’m so proud of you.”
Lucky reached up and closed his hand around one of his mother’s.  “No,
we beat it.” He said, as he looked up at the others.  His eyes rested on
his precious little sister in his brother’s arms before looking back at
his mother and grinning.  “We all beat this, together.”  Laura couldn’t
hold the tears back, so she wrapped her arms around her son again, and
then led him back to the car.

“Liz, you’re going to have nothing left of those jeans except thread
pretty soon.” Alexis said.  Liz looked down and realized she was
furiously rubbing her hands back and forth on her knees.  She folded her
arms across her chest to stop herself, but found that was just to much
of an inactive state for her to sit in, considering how worried she was.
She looked up at Alexis, who gave her an encouraging smile, and Emily,
who stared out the window for any sign of Nikolas.  Liz just couldn’t
stand it any longer.  “I’m going to wait outside.” She said, as she got
up.  Alexis was about to protest, but stopped herself.  Both girls were
on edge right now, with good reason, and arguing with them wouldn’t
help.

Jumping out of the van and closing the door behind her, Liz brought her
arms close to her as she shivered.  It had gotten colder while they were
waiting.  She looked up at the sky, and smiled.  The stars shone
brightly.  They were so pretty, she thought.  She smiled wider then.
She wasn’t afraid of the stars anymore.  A wind blew slightly through
the few trees that were around, making the leaves dance.  Getting a
familiar feeling in her heart, Liz turned and peered into the darkness.
She heard someone coming from the field.  The wind blew a little harder
around her, but she didn’t notice.  Her eyes were transfixed on another
pair of deep blue.  “Lucky!” She screamed as she ran forward.

Coming to the end of the field, Lucky had stopped and stared.  There was
Liz, his angel, looking right at him, and in him, to his soul.  The wind
played with her hair, and her whole face lit up as she hurried to him.
Not realizing he held the same expression, he grabbed Liz around the
waist and swung her around in the air.  Her laughter rang through the
night, and Lucky wondered if there could possibly be a more beautiful
sound in the world.  Finally, he set her down and looked at her.
“Hey.” He said smiling.
“Hey” She replied.  The both laughed.  So much had happened since they’d
been apart, but both knew nothing had to be said.  Somehow, they knew it
all with out speaking any words.  Liz wrapped her arms around his neck,
and closed her eyes as she felt his lips softly meet hers.

Laura stood and watched her son and Liz with a mixture of pride and
heartbreak.  She loved Liz, and was happier than she ever imagined she
would be that Lucky had found someone that made him so happy.  At the
same time, though, she couldn’t help but be saddened at the thought that
her son was all grown up now.
“Um, I know you’re a mother and all, but I’m pretty sure they won’t
appreciate it if they see that you’re staring at them.” Jason said from
behind her.  Laura turned around and laughed.  “You’re right, I was just
taking a last glance before I face reality and the fact that my son
doesn’t need me any more.”
Jason smiled at her sympathetically and put a hand on her shoulder.
“He’ll always need his mother.” He said.  “Just not in the same way any
more.”
“Thank, you Jason.  I know that, but I still haven’t accepted it yet..”
She got a mischievous grin and motioned back to Lucky and Liz.  “Just
wait until that’s Michael.”
Jason got a look of dread on his face, causing Laura to laugh.

Opening the door to the van, Nikolas burst in and went straight to
Emily, whose eyes widened and shone happily at the sight of him.
“Nikolas!” She cried, and threw her arms around him.  Nikolas hugged her
back.  “Are you okay?” He asked.
“Of course I am, what about you?” She replied.
“Well, I’m fine, except for one thing.” He said.
“What?” She asked frantically.
Nikolas grimaced and exchanged an amused look with Alexis.  “You’re
choking me.”
Emily pulled back with her mouth opened wide.  “I’m so sorry, are you
okay?”
“I don’t know.” Nikolas said, rubbing his neck.  “I think I need medical
attention.”
Emily’s expression turned to one of irritation and she playfully slapped
him on the arm.  “You big bully, I was..” Emily was cut off as Nikolas
grabbed her by the arm and pulled her into a kiss.
Alexis smiled at them as she exited the van.

Outside, she found Luke slowly walking down the road, pushing a very
angry looking Daniel in front of him.  “Jason, could you do me a favor?”
He asked, as he came to a stop in front of everyone.
“Sure, what is it?” He asked.
“Well, I want to spend a little time with my family, and I really don’t
want Mama Cass’s sidekick present.  Would you drive him to the next town
so we can assure he will be properly supervised until we get him to Port
Charles?”
“Of course.” Jason said, smiling.  “I’m sure I can make it a very
pleasant ride.”
Luke smiled back at him.  “Don’t forget to save room for the Mistress of
Evil.”
“I’m afraid that won’t be necessary.” Stefan said grimly, as he walked
up to the group.
Luke’s eyes darkened.  “Don’t tell me she morphed into a bat and flew
off to her hide-out cave.” He said sarcastically.
“It would appear so.” Stefan said.  “I’ve searched the grounds, and
there is no sign of her anywhere.”
Sighing, Luke looked around at his family.  Everyone was tired, this had
been going on forever.  “Well, we’ll have to save the sweet treat of
cuffing Helena for some other day, then.  Let’s head home.”
Jason began to stuff Daniel into the back of the car, but was stopped by
Lucky.
“May I?” He asked.  Jason stepped back and nodded.
Lucky jerked Daniel’s still tied up arms roughly as he guided him into
the car.  Closing the door, Daniel yelled as it slammed on his finger.
“Ew, sorry ‘bout that.” He said reopening the door.  Daniel leaned over
to say something to him, but Lucky quickly closed the door again,
knocking him hard in the head.  “My bad again.” He smirked.

Everyone else piled into the van.  It was very crowded with everyone
squeezed into it, but it really didn’t bother anyone.  They were just
happy to be going home, safely.  Stefan was the last to climb in.  He
stood staring out into the night as the others settled themselves in.
“You’ll show up again, mother.” He said.  “And I’ll be waiting for you.”
Turing, he got in the van, and joined his family, which had grown
greatly since the start of this adventure.  Stefan smiled at this
thought.

Chapter 39

     Luke leaned back against the car smoothly, one hand in the pocket
of his long dark coat, the other holding a cigar to his mouth.  Beside
him was his son, the spitting image of him, minus the cigar.  They
defined the image of men in black perfectly.  As they looked on, a plane
landed, and they watched the passengers piling off.  After everyone else
was off, two police officers escorted Daniel Forst off the plane, and
came to a stop near the Spencers.  Lucky grinned at him broadly.
“Taggert,” He spoke, not taking his eyes of Daniel, “I see a piece of
trash littering the community.  Could you take it away please?”
“With pleasure.” Taggert replied, walking from his police car parked
next to them.  He led Daniel to the car, giving him a helpful kick in
the rear to get in.  After slamming the door, he turned back to Luke and
Lucky.
“I know we’ve definitely had our differences in the past.” He began.
“But I promise you I will make sure tat scumbag rots in jail for the
rest of his life.”
Luke nodded.  “I trust that you will.”  He then turned to his son.
“What do you say we get out of here?”
“I say great, if I can drive.” Lucky replied.
“Will you pay attention to the speed limit?” Luke questioned.
“Of course.” Lucky said seriously then turned mischievous.  “That is,
when the cops are around.”
“Now that’s an answer that makes me proud.” Luke replied, as he tossed
the keys to him.  Getting into the pink Cadillac, father and son pulled
out matching sunglasses.  Scanning the radio stations, Luke stopped on
one playing blues, as he was pushed against his seat.  He glanced over
at his son and smiled at the foot holding the accelerator to the floor.
Yep, his son made him proud, in more ways than one.  Taggert looked up
at the sound of squeaking tires and a roaring engine.  According to the
law, he should go after them, but he just smiled, and headed for the
PCPD.

Nikolas smiled at his mother as he handed his little sister to her.
“She’s amazing.” He said.  “It must have been terrifying for her to be
kidnapped by Helena, but she’s smiling right now like everything is
right with the world.”
“Well, maybe that’s not too far off.” Laura said.  “We came out of this
triumphant, and without that silly feud.”
“Yeah, I admit I hated that we had to go through all that, but I still
love how it brought me closer to Lucky, not to mention Emily.” Nikolas
said, and paused as he looked at his mother.  “And you.”
Laura grinned at him, and set Lulu down on the floor to walk her son to
the door.
“Don’t forget to be at the dinner at eight.” She reminded.
“I won’t, and yes, I’ll bring the girls too, and no, I won’t eat a lot
beforehand and spoil my dinner.” Nikolas teased.
“You know, for being rather new yet at this mother son dialogue, you
sure have your end down quick.” Laura said.
“What can I say, it just all seems to come out naturally around you.”
Nikolas said, and gave his mother a hug and a kiss before he left, just
missing Bobbie.
“Lulu!” Bobbie yelled, pushing her way past Laura into the Spencer
house.  She grabbed Lulu and hugged her tightly.
“She’s fine Bobbie.” Laura said smiling.
Turning to her not-so-dear sister-in-law, Bobbie spoke sincerely.
“Laura, I’m so sorry.  She was gone before I could do anything.”
“It’s all right.  Helena plays deviously, we all know that.” Laura said.
“Well, for what it’s worth,” Bobbie replied, “I’m glad you’re home safe.
And I do mean all of you.”
“Thank you, Bobbie.” Laura said.  “We’re going to hold a celebration
dinner tonight at the Port Charles Grill.  I think we would all love it
if you joined us.”
“I’d like that.” Bobbie replied.  “I’ll be there.”

Lucky sat on the edge of the docks, staring at the water.  From his hand
dangled Daniel’s medallion.  Looking at it, images flooded his mind, and
he closed his eyes.  He saw his mother and father running frantically,
pulling him along from some unseen enemy.  He saw Helena’s brother,
Louis, holding him back, and taking him to Daniel.  The picture of the
man Daniel forced him to shoot sprung up next, causing him to cringe.
He relaxed as his mind moved on to being reunited to his parents and
coming to Port Charles.  For the first time he realized how much this
town meant to him.  It was his first real home.  It had brought him his
first real friend, Emily, his first real love, Liz, and more family and
friends than he ever dreamed of having.  Growing up he always just
thought his parents were all he needed, but he realized everyone else
was immensely important to him too.  These people that he had met and
connected to in his new life had helped him overcome the things that
happened to him in the old one.  Opening his eyes again, he smiled.
Taking one last look at the medallion, he let it slip into the water.
He didn’t need it anymore.

Lucky looked up as a hand rested on his shoulder.  He found Liz
crouching down beside him, smiling.  “Ready for the dinner?” She asked.
Lucky nodded at her.
“I’ll always be ready for anything that you’ll be at.”
Liz blushed as she stood, and pulled Lucky up with her.  They found
Nikolas and Emily waiting for them at the top of the dock’s stairs.  The
brothers each put an arm around the waist of their girl, and then their
other arm on each other’s back.  All connected, the four teens took off,
a new air of acceptance and eagerness of the future following them.

A lone figure stepped out of the shadows below them, and watched them
walk off.  Moving over to where Lucky had sat, they reached down to
where the chain of the medallion had gotten caught on a floating stick,
and pulled it out of the water.  Closing it tightly in one hand, the
figure moved away again.

Glasses clinking, the smell of the finest gourmet food, and the sound of
laughter filled the atmosphere at the Port Charles Grill that night.
Lucky looked around at everyone happily. Some he knew better than
others, but all them held a place in the wonderful life he just realized
he had.  Nikolas and Emily were laughing quietly next to him on his
left. Stefan sat next to them, smiling at his nephew.  Alexis was there
with Ned, looking truly happy.  His parents sat at the other end of the
table, gazing into each other’s eyes.  He took pride at the way they
were as in love as they ever were.  Jason was there, and had brought
along Carly. He didn’t know her well, but she was family, and he hoped,
no, knew, he would soon.  She did display all the wonderful signs of a
true Spencer.  Next to her were his aunts, Bobbie and Amy, then Lucas
and Lulu.  Finally, on his right was Liz, who was his everything.  He
grabbed her hand and they smiled at each other. It was wonderful to have
everyone there together, and for once forgetting their differences and
just enjoying life.

Outside, the figure appeared again, peering in through a window.
Enviously, they looked on, as the guests all talked and laughed as if it
were the greatest night of their lives.  Making a silent vow to
themself, the figure backed away slowly, still casting backward glances
at the happy gathering for as long as they could be seen.

The End.

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