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<Quartermaine Mansion>
Emily was in her room getting ready to go visit her brother in the hospital. Jason had been stable for three weeks now and she was beginning to think he would wake up soon. Lucky had been released from the hospital a week ago and Liz was doting over his every need. Liz told her that Mac found out that Lucky’s car had been tampered with, but they weren’t able to get any information out of Jason’s guards despite the intervention of Luke Spencer. She only prayed that Jason woke up soon so that her friend would be able to put this ordeal behind her. Liz had been putting up a good front, but Emily knew that underneath the façade she was struggling to make it through each day. Emily sighed as her thoughts shifted to Nikolas. Finally after all this time he seemed to be noticing her. Hardly a day had passed since Jason’s accident that she hadn’t seen him. He always seemed to appear when she needed a shoulder or a change of scenery. Emily was so grateful to him, she wouldn’t have been able to get through these last weeks without him.
A knock on her door interrupted her reverie. Her first instinct was to panic, had something happened to Jason? She opened the door and there stood her knight in shining armor, Nikolas Cassadine. “This is a surprise, I was just thinking about you.” Emily blushed, she hadn’t meant to be so bold.
Nikolas was smiling uncontrollably. He grabbed her by the waist and swung her around. “Oh Em! You’re not even going to believe this. Remember when I told you I wanted to get to know Lucky better? Well I ran into him and Elizabeth this morning and they invited us to go out with them tonight. I can’t believe it, a month ago we couldn’t even look at eachother, now he wants to double date!”
Emily couldn’t believe her ears. Had he said “date”? Were they going on a date with Lucky and Liz. She knew right away that this was her friend Liz’s doing. She would have to thank her later, right now all she could concentrate on was the feel of Nikolas’ arms around her. “Nik, that’s great, I’m so happy for you!” And for me she added silently.
Nikolas suddenly realized that he hadn’t removed his arms from around her waist yet. He didn’t want to, she felt so right there. He wanted to hold her forever. Nikolas looked into her eyes and the words he was going to say fell away. He couldn’t think let alone say anything, he was lost in her eyes. He saw her sigh and watched as her lips parted slightly. As if by magnetic force his head began moving towards hers and he lightly brushed his lips across hers.
Emily thought her knees were going to give way and to stop them and to keep Nikolas close to her she wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. She heard him groan and felt his arms tighten and pull her closer.
When the kiss ended Nikolas looked at Emily dazed. How come he hadn’t done that before? He didn’t know, but he knew he would definitely be doing it again. “What are you plans for the day? I would like to spend it with you alone before we join Lucky and Liz this evening.”
Emily thought her heart was going to hammer right out of her chest. “I’m going to see Jason, then I am free for the day.” Nikolas smiled. “Perfect, I have to meet Uncle at the hospital to discuss the new volunteer group, we could go together and meet when we are finished. I suggest a picnic in the park followed by a nice stroll down at the docks.
Emily smiled, she hoped she didn’t look as eager as she felt. “That sounds wonderful.”
<Kelly’s>
Liz and Lucky were just walking in the door. They ran into Nikolas and to Liz’s surprise Lucky had suggested a double date with Nik and Em. Liz knew that Em would be thrilled to finally be asked out by Nikolas, the one she had been dreaming about for as long as Liz could remember. Liz was excited too, it had been so long since she and Lucky had been out on a real date (you couldn’t count the dinner at his mother’s as a date, that had been more of an inquisition. The only good that came out of it was that Liz now felt a connection with Laura.) and she felt like they needed the time together.
“Oh Lucky, I can’t wait until tonight. Are you sure you feel up to it though? You still get so tired and I don’t want you to over do anything.”
Lucky smiled and put his arms around Liz. “Will you stop worrying about me. I promise that if I start feeling tired we will cut the evening short and come home. Until then, we need a night out and a break from reality, tonight is just what the doctor ordered as far as I am concerned.”
Liz smiled into his eyes and kissed him. “Have I told you today that I love you Lucky Spencer?” They shared a searing kiss which ended abruptly when the door to Kelly’s slammed. They broke apart both slightly embarrassed to be caught in a private moment. Lucky recognized the visitor first. “Hey AJ, how have you been? Haven’t seen you around in quite a while.”
Ah, but I have seen you, AJ thought. He had been following the two down on the docks. He came into Kelly’s because he couldn’t stand to watch Lucky kissing his angel. He looked at Liz, “How are you Elizabeth.”
Liz smiled still reeling from the kiss she had just shared with Lucky. “Perfect, what can we get you?” AJ had hoped for a more lengthy conversation with her, but it was enough for the moment that Lucky no longer had his paws on her. Soon he thought, we will be alone again, this time forever, my angel.
Chapter 67
<Kelly’s>
Liz couldn’t figure out why she was so nervous about the double date. It wasn’t like she and Lucky hadn’t been out together before. She convinced herself that it was because she was so excited for her best friend. Finally Emily was going out with Nikolas. Liz couldn’t remember a time that Emily hadn’t dreamed of this and it was finally happening.
Emily was watching Liz from across the room. The two friends were getting ready together for the big night. Lucky and Nikolas were told to stay away until it was time to pick up their dates. Liz and Emily hoped that this would give the two brothers time to get used to the idea of being friends. “Liz, what is it, you seem so far away. Is something wrong?”
Liz was startled out of her reverie. “No Em, I was just thinking about how wonderful it is that you and Nik are finally going out. You must be so excited!” Liz tried to make her voice sound light, but she could tell by the look on her best friend’s face she wasn’t fooling anyone.
Emily sat down on the bed and motioned for Liz to do the same. Once Liz was seated Emily said, “you know you can trust me right?” When Liz nodded Emily continued. “Then what is it. I know that you are excited for me, and believe me so am I, but there is something else going on, please tell me, I might be able to help.”
Liz took a deep breath and sighed, what did she have to lose, she needed to talk to someone other than Lucky about this, and Emily was her best friend. “Alright, but promise you won’t repeat this especially to Nikolas or Lucky.” Emily nodded and Liz started again. “It’s just that Lucky and I haven’t really been focusing on our romantic relationship since Murty’s suicide and his accident. The past few weeks we have barely even kissed. The strange thing is, it was good for me, I needed to get through everything and this has given me the time to do that. The thing is, I miss Lucky and the closeness we shared physically. I never thought it would be possible for me to miss that, but I do. He is the only man I have ever trusted and the only one I want to be with. Now I’m worried that I hurt him more that he let on when I pushed him away before.” Liz finished with tears in her eyes.
<General Hospital>
Monica was standing in Jason’s room listening to the specialist she had called in describe her son’s condition. “He is physically recovering, but emotionally he is unwilling to come out of this state he is in. Perhaps something was worrying him when this occurred and he is in a safe place where he doesn’t have to deal with reality.” Monica nodded, she wouldn’t have known if Jason was worried about anything. Robin might know, but Monica had a sneaking suspicion that Jason wouldn’t have told anyone about whatever was causing this. “I see, what course of action do we take now?”
The specialist sighed “Unfortunately, treatment wise, there is not much we can do. He is breathing on his own and is healing, he just refuses to wake up.” Monica thought back to Audrey Hardy and her condition. The woman she had considered a friend for many years was now locked away and on heavy medication because of her inability to deal with tragedy? Would Jason be any different? Monica looked at her son and listened as the specialist finished her diagnosis. “People he cared about need to talk to him, the more the better. Patients can often hear us even though they cannot respond, so the more talk the better.”
Monica nodded and led the specialist out into the hall. If Jason could hear, she didn’t want to scare him. As she walked the specialist down the hall to her office where they could continue the conversation AJ came out of his hiding place. He had heard the conversation and was relieved that Jason wouldn’t be waking up anytime soon. He entered Jason’s room and approached the bed. He bent and whispered in his ear. “You better not come around any time soon brother. If you do Emily will be the first to suffer.”
Jason shifted slightly as AJ left the room.
<The Outback>
Mac and V were sitting at a table deep in conversation. “I just wish Luke had been able to make some head way with Reynaldo. If the guards won’t talk we are back a square one. The clerk at the Bluff Top Inn can’t remember anything about what the guy who rented that room looked like, and there was nothing in the room that would identify him, not even one stray finger print. He was definitely careful.” Mac flipped to the list of notes he had taken while searching the room. There was the bomb paraphernalia that cleared Murty, but that didn’t give them any leads as to who actually committed the crimes. There were the memoirs of Ted Kisinsky, but no notes were made in the margins and there was no personal journal. It was almost as if the person was trying to be vague. The photographs of Liz were disturbing to say the least, but still no clue about the perpetrator was revealed from them. Mac let out a frustrated sigh.
V was also at a loss, she liked Liz and it hurt her to see her frustrated at the lack of information they had. “Mac, what are we missing here. Jason obviously knew who this person was. In addition, he didn’t want us to know his identity. Who is that close to him?”
Mac looked up from his notes “Believe me V, I have been racking my brain trying to answer that very question. I thought Robin might know, but she can’t think of anyone he is that close to.” Mac slammed his fist on the table making V jump. “If only Jason would just wake up.”
Chapter 68
Lucky and Nikolas were walking back to Kelly’s. Since Liz and Emily insisted on having them pick them up together they had decided to meet ahead of time and walk over together. Lucky had been apprehensive at first, when he saw Nikolas approaching he was overcome with a feeling of unexplainable peace. Finally the person he had known was his brother may become his friend.
They stopped along the way to pick up flowers for their dates and were almost to Kelly’s when Nik stopped and looked at Lucky. “Lucky, is this going to be a onetime thing? What I mean is, I want to get to know you and spend time with you, but if this is going to be the only time we do this I think I would rather not.” Nikolas finished on a rush, he was almost afraid of Lucky’s reaction.
Lucky was stunned. He had been thinking much the same thing. “I guess I always wanted an older brother” Lucky said smiling. Nikolas smiled back knowing that was all he was going to get Lucky to admit. At least it was a step he thought.
<Kelly’s>
Liz was still resting her head on Emily’s shoulder. “Liz, you know that Lucky loves you. He is so patient, I’m sure he is probably waiting for the green light from you to make a move towards being physical again.”
Liz sighed and lifted her head. “I know your right Em, but I just wonder if it is too late.” Emily took Liz’s hand “It is never too late when there is love. You remember that. I have never seen Lucky look at anyone the way he looks at you, he loves you and that is what is important. I think you are going to have to let him know you are ready though.”
Liz nodded, “I know that, I just hope I can get up the nerve. I swear it’s like we are starting over here, at least this time I know what making love can. I know I don’t have to be afraid with Lucky.” Liz broke out in a grin as a plan began to form in her head. Emily recognized the signs and knew her friend was going to survive.
“Liz, it’s almost time, how do I look?” Emily was suddenly nervous, she had been wanting to go out with Nik for so long, she couldn’t believe it was finally happening. Liz smiled softly at her friend. “You look wonderful, you are going to knock his socks off.”
“And you are going to blow Lucky Spencer away in that dress!” They hugged quickly as they heard the knock on the door.
<Luke’s>
Luke sat in his office thinking about Laura. She had been home for almost three weeks now. She and Lesley and Lulu were living in the house and Luke was living in the house and he was living in the club. Laura barely tolerated his visits with Lulu and refused to let him in the house while she was there. She scheduled times for him to pick up his things and always dropped Lulu off at a meeting place. She never stayed and barely looked at him when she would bring his daughter to him.
When she had returned Luke hadn’t thought much about the rift between them. In his mind they had faced much worse and had always come out of it fine. This time Laura was holding firm on her convictions, much more so than she had done in the past. He knew that she blamed him for Lucky’s accident and the condition of their family, and maybe that was what he thought he deserved. Finally he was being punished for his crime 20 years ago. The problem was that he missed his wife. He needed her and his daughter in his life. He missed sharing the daily routines with them. He wanted to get them back. He figured the only way to do that was to fix the situation. If he caught the mad man responsible for Lucky’s accident Laura would forgive him and Lucky would see him as a hero again.
With a smile on his face Luke picked up his phone and dialed the Penthouse. Hopefully this time he could convince Reynaldo to help him.
Chapter 69
<Jason’s Room>
Robin was sitting by the bed in Jason’s room. There was no change in his condition despite the restlessness he had experienced earlier. The specialist that Monica had called in noted his agitation and said it was unusual, but a patient in a coma could become agitated but not wake up. It was like being held down with 100-pound weights, something may be strong enough to make you struggle without freeing you. Robin wondered to herself what that thing was.
<<Flashback>>
Robin had just come up from the cafeteria. When she entered Jason’s room there was no one there, but Jason was thrashing on the bed and moaning. With hope and relief in her heart Robin approached the bed. That was when she saw it, Jason’s face was contorted yet he was still not conscious.
<<Present>>
Robin was jolted back to the present when she heard the
door open. She smiled when she saw V enter. “Hey” she said
quietly as if she would wake Jason by being too loud. V smiled at
her friend and sat down in a chair adjacent to Jason’s bed. V didn’t
necessarily think that Jason was the best choice for Robin, but she could
see that Robin loved him and she would stand by her and give her any support
she needed.
“Any change?” V listened as Robin told her about Jason’s restlessness earlier and about the fact that despite his thrashing Jason remained in a coma. Robin continued speaking and V’s ears perked up. “The specialist seems to think that something or someone got him to that point. The thing is when I got here the room was empty and Monica said she had left approximately 10 minutes before I paged her and Jason was fine.”
V’s mind started working at a rapid pace. “Something happened between the time that Monica left and you arrived. Did you see anything unusual in the hall? Anyone that looked strange?”
Robin thought about it, she had thought she had seen AJ round the corner, but that wasn’t unusual as he was Jason’s brother so she didn’t mention it. “No, nothing, I just walked in here to find Jason.”
Jason knew who was behind everything that happened to Liz and Lucky. Was is possible that whoever that was had paid Jason a visit? V made a mental note to discuss the possibility of putting a policeman on the door to Jason’s room with Mac.
<Kelly’s>
Emily opened the door to their waiting dates. When Nik saw how gorgeous Emily looked in her deep blue slip dress he felt his heart swell. How come it had taken him so long to find her? “Hi” he said, not recognizing his own voice. Emily smiled and moved aside to admit both men.
Lucky approached Liz while Nik stayed near Emily. “You look gorgeous my love.” He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek that made her heart flutter with anticipation. She noticed the flowers and said, “Why Lucky, are those for me?” Lucky smiled and said “They pale in comparison to your beauty, but yes they are for you.”
Emily broke into Lucky and Liz’s trance, “our reservations
are for 7:00, so we should probably head out.” Nik took Emily’s hand
and led her out the door and down the stairs. Lucky waited a beat
before he did the same with Liz.
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