Dream a Little Dream

Chapter 31

The Nurses' Ball crowd laughingly dispersed. A line formed out front of the Lady Jane Plaza as valets brought cars around, and limousines pulled up.

The Quartermaines stood in the lobby. Alan had just called for their limos.

“Alan, I have some business to take care of, so go ahead without me,” Tracy said. Alan furrowed his brow.

“At this hour?” he asked.

“It's not this hour everywhere,” Tracy said. “If it gets late, I'll just get a room here. So, goodnight, all.”

“Good night, Mother,” Ned said with a kiss on the cheek.

“'Night, Mom, and thanks again,” Dillon said with a hug.

Tracy scooted off towards the bar.

Emily was walking out with Nikolas and Stefan, happy that they'd reconciled. “I'll come over tomorrow?” she said to Nikolas.

“Sleep in, my princess,” Nikolas said. “It's been a long night. I've got some things to take care of during the day, so come over in the late afternoon. Can you stay?”

“Absolutely,” Emily said with a bigger smile. “Goodnight, darling. I'll see you tomorrow.”

They kissed, and Emily went over to join the rest of the Quartermaines. The limos pulled up, and the family piled in. Michael was already fading fast, and fell asleep on AJ's lap on the ride home. Carly put her head on AJ's shoulder and closed her eyes.

“I wonder what Tracy's up to?” Alan said to Monica.

“With Tracy, you never know,” Monica replied with a grin.

Nikolas looked at Stefan and said, “Can I give you a lift home, Uncle? There's something important I need to discuss with you.”

Stefan looked curious and concerned. “Of course, Nikolas,” he said. “Just let me say goodnight to Anna and Robin and I'll join you.”

* * *

Luke waited in the lobby as Laura went backstage to get her things. Lulu was going home with Lesley, and Luke had already told both of them, as well as Lucky, to be at the house before noon for a family meeting. He nodded at Nikolas, who was waiting for Stefan.

Jax walked over before he and Brenda went upstairs to their suite. “Jerry and I'll be there tomorrow,” he said. “Good deal,” Luke replied. “As I told Alky, not a word. You'll understand tomorrow night.”

“Will do,” Jax said. “See you then.”

He waved Felicia over from where she was standing with Mac, Georgie and Maxie.

“Your ex came through,” Luke told her. “Be at my office tomorrow night at seven. Say nothing to Mac, please.” Felicia nodded. “Okay,” she said.

Luke looked over and saw Laura coming. His heart skipped another beat at seeing her in that gown. So many years, so much had happened, but their love had never broken.

“Ready?” Laura asked with a saucy smile and raised eyebrow.

“I've been ready all night, Angel,” Luke said. The pink Cadillac appeared out front and they left.

* * *

After seeing her family had left and the crowd was waning, Tracy left the bar, went to the front desk and got a room. She also requested a bottle of Kristal and two glasses.

Once she was in the room and the champagne was delivered, she picked up her cell phone and called Coleman, who was waiting in the bar. She gave him the room number and waited. She didn't have to wait long.

“So, where were we?” Coleman asked. Tracy pushed him playfully on the bed and straddled him.

“I'd say just about here,” she said, bending down to kiss him fiercely. Coleman rolled her over so he was on top. Tracy loved feeling his weight on her. She began tugging his shirt out of his waistband. Coleman knelt up, and began tossing off his clothes. Tracy reached for his pants and undid them. Coleman got up to take off his pants, as Tracy stared hungrily. He then reached down and began to undress Tracy slowly. Finally free of their clothes, they almost leaped towards each other.

* * *

“Tonight was amazing,” Ric said as they drove home with the top down.

Elizabeth smiled sweetly over at him. “Yes, it was,” she said. “And just when I thought it couldn't get better, TJ came out. Seeing him do that for Gran and Granddad was so special.”

“I'm glad we pulled off our number,” Ric said. “Thankfully John wasn't a part of it. And that he didn't injure anyone in my other number.”

Elizabeth laughed. Ric's heart went into his throat. He loved her graceful gestures, her playfulness, her laughter. He was a goner and he knew it.

“Everyone did pretty good,” Elizabeth said. “And Emily came through with that broken heel. A lot of men would have gone home disappointed if Lucy had kept her clothes on.”

It was Ric's turn to laugh.

“Poor Lucy,” he said. “Maybe it's some sort of fate or kismet thing.”

Ric pulled up in front of Elizabeth's apartment.

“Want to come in?” she asked. “I'll put on some tea and we can unwind a bit.”

“Sure,” Ric said, hoping he didn't sound like the eager puppy he was.

Elizabeth led the way into the apartment. She tossed the overnight bag holding her costume into the bedroom, then went into the kitchen to make the tea. Ric sat on the couch, loosened his bow tie, and scanned the morning paper on the coffee table.

Elizabeth brought the tea in and sat next to Ric on the couch. She tried to hide her trembling hand as she poured it. They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes, sipping the tea. Ric then set his cup down and looked over at Elizabeth. She stared into his eyes. He took her face in his hands and kissed her gently.

The kissing grew more passionate. Finally, Ric pulled away for a moment.

“Oh, God, Elizabeth,” he whispered. “I have fallen so totally in love with you...”

The words were barely out of his mouth before he was terrified. He'd spoken too soon, he'd broken the spell, he'd ...

“I feel the same way,” Elizabeth whispered back in a trembling voice. Ric stared at her, and felt ridiculously close to crying. Elizabeth leaned in and kissed him again. Her arms went around his neck as he held her close. His kisses began to trail down her neck. His hands roamed up her back, then felt bare skin at the top of her gown. It felt like satin. He pulled his head up and looked at her.

“I better go,” he said softly.

Elizabeth smiled.

“I have Froot Loops,” she said. Only a valiant effort kept Ric's jaw from dropping.

“Are ... are you sure?” he stammered. “I don't want to rush if you're not ready.”

Elizabeth reached over and stroked his cheek, then let her hand wander down his neck to his chest. Ric shivered in thrill and anticipation.

“I'm sure,” she said steadily, looking deep into his eyes. After another kiss, Ric picked her up and carried her into the bedroom.

* * *

“Oh, that feels good!” Monica sighed, taking off her high-heeled sandals in the foyer and cooling her feet on the marble floor. She wiggled her toes in relief.

“Quite a night,” Alan said. “I'm proud of all of you – the Quartermaines really represented, as Dillon here would say.”

Everyone said goodnight and headed up to their rooms. AJ carried a sleeping Michael. Once in his room, Jason quickly shucked his tuxedo and paced the room restlessly. He was nowhere near ready for bed. He heard voices and peeked out. Carly and AJ had walked by.

“You okay?” Carly asked AJ. “You look kind of sad.”

“You know, I'm not going to be able to do that much longer,” AJ said. “Carrying Michael, I mean. He's going to get too big soon. God, I'll miss it.”

Carly leaned her head on his shoulder. Jason closed the door with a disdainful face. He quickly changed into jeans, a black t-shirt and sneakers. He picked up his car keys, cell phone and wallet, and went quietly down the stairs. He was surprised to see Monica and Alan coming out from the kitchen, carrying teacups.

“Where are you going, Jason?” Monica asked in surprise. “Is everything all right?”

“Everything's fine, Mom,” Jason said. “I'm just ... wired. I drank too much coffee tonight, I guess. I can't settle down to get to sleep. So I'm going to go out for a while to unwind.”

“Oh,” Monica said. “Well, be careful out there. If you get too tired, don't try to drive home, okay?”

Jason leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Okay, Mom,” he said with a smile. “I shouldn't be too late. Get some sleep, you two. Good night.”

“Good night, Son,” Alan said. “See you in the morning.”

After reaching their bedroom, Alan turned to Monica and said, “Should we buy that?”

Monica shrugged her shoulders. “I don't see why not,” she said. “He didn't seem upset or anything. It was also a pretty exciting evening, so that may have wired him, too. He's got a cell phone, so he'll manage. We can't keep him under glass forever.”

* * *

Jason pointed his car back towards the city. The cool night air felt good. He decided to check out the action at Luke's.

A jazz trio was playing in one corner when he walked in. He saw Reese Marshall at the bar and smiling, went over to her.

“Hi,” he said, sitting down on the stool next to her.

“Hi, yourself,” she said. The bartender came over and took Jason's order, a Saranac Pale Ale.

“Where'd you go that night?” Reese asked.

“I had to get home,” Jason said. “I'm staying with my parents since I came back, and I didn't want them to worry or make a fuss about my being out all night.”

“Oh,” she said. “I can see that. Thanks for starting the coffee.”

Jason laughed.

“Figured you'd need it as much as I would,” he said.

“What've you been up to?” she asked.

“Not much,” he said. “Doing some training for a possible job, that's about it. What about you?”

“Just work,” she said. “We've got a big case, so I've been plugging away.”

Reese was still stuck in the field office, doing research and helping analyze reports. She was barely on the fringes of the mob/gang investigation, and it was driving her crazy. They can't keep me on the sidelines forever, she thought. When my chance comes, I really have to make an impression.

Jason and Reese sat at the bar, laughing and talking for a while. Jason offered to give her a ride home.

“That'd be great, thanks,” Reese said. Play it cool, girlfriend, she thought. She said little beyond directing him to her building. When Jason pulled up front, she hesitated. She looked at Jason coyly, from under her eyelashes. Jason leaned over and kissed her.

“Want to come up?” she asked.

“Sure,” Jason replied. “I can't stay – my parents and all.”

“That's fine,” she said.

They were all over each other as soon as Reese closed the door to her apartment. They left a trail of clothes to the bedroom. Reese smiled as she looked around her bedroom.

“Want me to wear it again?” she asked, gesturing towards the honey blonde wig on the dresser.

“Sure,” Jason said, trying to keep his voice casual. Reese went into the bathroom to put it on as he fished in his jacket pocket for a condom. He looked up to see Reese coming out in the wig. Backlit, it was so easy for him to imagine Carly there. Something fluttered in his throat. Reese walked over and gently pushed him on his back.

Reese nibbled and licked her way down his torso. Jason again focused on the hair. Imagining Carly doing what Reese was doing had his toes curling. To keep himself from going over the edge too soon, he lay Reese down and began kissing and touching her. She was soon writhing and cooing. Jason put on the condom and rolled onto her, resting his face cheek-to-cheek with her so all he saw was the hair.

“Oh, God,” Reese moaned. “Oh, Jason!”

Jason moaned through a clenched jaw, knowing if he let himself speak he'd cry out for Carly.

“Whoa,” Reese said as Jason rolled off her. “That was something!”

“Yeah, it was,” Jason said with a stretch. They lay there a little while longer before Jason pretended to notice the time.

“Better get home,” he said.

“Mmmmkay,” Reese murmured drowsily. “Take care.”

She was asleep before he finished dressing. Again, he filled her coffeepot and set the timer before leaving.

* * *

Luke unlocked the front door. Laura twirled in ahead of him, her full skirt swirling.

Laughing, they waltzed around the living room, both humming “Fascination” between laughs. Then Luke looked into Laura's eyes. Laughter and music faded from his throat. He pulled her to him, and kissed her. Laura melted in his arms. Soon, he was picking Laura up and carrying her upstairs.

They lay together in bed a while later, the only sound being their heartbeats slowly calming. Caught up in the romance, Luke had momentarily forgotten about the phone call. He looked down at Laura, so cozy in his arms, so happy. He hated shattering the moment. He took a deep breath.

“I have to go away soon, Angel,” he said.

It wasn't the words, but the tone that made Laura sit up and look at him. A moment ago, she'd been a few breaths from falling softly asleep. Sleep was now far from her mind.

“Why?” she asked. There was no anger, no consternation in her voice. Only curiosity.

“It's a mission.”

Laura raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. “Are you mad?” Luke asked.

“No,” she said. “Just surprised. I thought you were over that after the Darfur mission last year.”

Luke looked down at the comforter as unpleasant memories resurfaced. In retrospect, he knew the work he and the WSB had been able to do had saved many lives. But there were so many they couldn't help, and there were horrible sights and sounds that Luke wished he could blot from his mind. He'd come home deeply touched by what had happened, and only gave Laura the bare facts, although she knew by his face and voice that he'd witnessed something horrible.

“I thought so, too, Angel,” Luke said, looking back up at her. “There's not much that'd get me on board for another mission. Except this.”

Luke told her about Nikolas' visit, and the information he'd given. Laura's eyes grew wide and her face turned pale as she considered the possibility that Helena was alive and out there somewhere, waiting to strike. Then Luke told her he'd heard from Frisco that night.

“And?” Laura asked anxiously. “What did he say? Is it Helena?”

“No, Laura,” he said, then took a breath to steady his voice and looked deep into her eyes. “It's Caesar Faison.”

Laura gasped in horror and began shaking.

“No,” she said in a weak voice. “No...” She looked away, her face ashen, her eyes wide and unseeing. It frightened Luke – it was too much like what he saw when they believed Lucky had died. He took her by the upper arms.

“Look at me, Laura!” he said with a gentle shake. She took a deep breath and looked at him.

“He's out there, doing God knows what with Helena's money!” Laura cried. “My children aren't safe!”

“That's why I have to go,” Luke said. “The WSB is going to track him down, and when they find him, I'm going to go help take him and whatever he's doing down.”

“Oh, Luke,” Laura whispered. “He'd love nothing more than to kill you! It's so dangerous!”

“I have to do this, Laura,” Luke said. “You were right – our children, and Nikolas, are not safe as long as Faison is out there. And neither are Anna and Robin – I owe it to Robert to protect them.”

Laura didn't bother to check the tears now flowing. Faison's name brought her back to the darkest time of her life. But she had survived. And that, along with the rage Faison inspired, allowed her to stop trembling and look Luke in the eye.

“Kill him,” she said. Luke stared.

“I mean it, Luke,” Laura said, her voice steady and hard. “Don't let him get the chance to cause any more heartbreak, for me or any other mother. Do it for me. Do it for Robert. Do it for Robin. Do it for Lucky. Just do it.”

“As you wish,” Luke said. Laura lay back down rested her head on his chest.

“And come home to me,” she said.

“Again, as you wish,” Luke said, leaning down to kiss her forehead. He fell asleep soon thereafter, but Laura lay there until close to dawn before she slept.

* * *

Tracy awoke first, the early morning light spilling into the suite. She purred and stretched. Coleman, next to her, snored lightly. Tracy quietly picked up her bag and padded over to the bathroom. She washed last night's makeup off her face, and brushed her teeth. Two complimentary white terry robes hung in the bathroom; she put on one of them. Then she walked to the front room of the suite and quietly ordered room service – coffee, mimosas, waffles with bacon and sausage, and fresh fruit cups. She cracked open the door to get the complimentary copy of the Port Charles Herald, and sat down on the couch to read it. The spread on the Nurses' Ball made her cackle with mirth. Coleman woke up and came in there.

“Mornin',” Coleman said, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “What's the joke?”

“Sorry,” Tracy said. “Just having a laugh over the account of the ball. Breakfast will be here any second. Go put on a robe, unless you want to give the bellboy a show.”

“I'll be right back,” he said. He went into the bathroom, put on the robe, splashed some water on his face, raked his damp fingers through his hair, and took a swig of the complimentary mouthwash.

Room service had arrived by the time he came back out. Tracy was tipping the server, who left with a bow. She and Coleman sat down to eat.

“Boy, I guess I worked up an appetite,” Coleman said as he dug in.

“You and me both,” Tracy said with a grin. They ate the rest of their breakfast quietly, then took their coffees over to the sofa.

“What happens now?” Coleman asked bluntly. Tracy stopped, her coffee cup at her lips. She then set it down.

“I don't know,” she said. “What do you think should happen now?”

Coleman took a sip of his coffee.

“I don't like not having you around,” he said.

“Same here,” Tracy said.

“Okay,” Coleman said with a smile. “How do you want to handle it?”

“Can't we just keep things the way they've been?” Tracy asked. “It's worked fine so far.”

“So I stay your private boytoy,” Coleman said. “What, are you embarrassed by me or something?”

Tracy sighed. “It's not that,” she said. “It's just ... everything I say or do is open for comment and criticism, being in my family. I like having this where I can just be me and not have to deal with any of them.”

“They'd have a field day with this, you think?” Coleman said. Tracy rolled her eyes.

“Oh, yeah,” she said. “Dillon would probably call us Demi and Ashton. Ned would wonder about ELQ's image. AJ, Alan and Monica would get sly little jabs in all the time. And I don't even want to contemplate Carly. At least Emily can never fling anything at me again.”

Coleman laughed. “Yeah, she's effectively shot down for a while after her little cabana boy incident,” he said. Tracy laughed, too.

“That was the best entertainment I've had in a long time,” she said. Then she turned the conversation back to the matter at hand.

“Look, I'm also thinking of you,” she said. “You and I know it's not the case, but I hate the idea of people talking about you like you're my gigolo or something.”

Coleman shrugged. “I can take it,” he said gruffly.

“You shouldn't have to,” Tracy said. “So let's just leave things as they are and go from here?”

“That works,” Coleman said. “And I know where I want to go now.”

“Where?”

“Right over there,” Coleman said with a leer, pointing to the bed.

“I like your sense of direction,” Tracy said.

* * *

The early morning sunshine filtered through the blinds in Elizabeth's bedroom. She opened her eyes and smiled. She could feel Ric spooned behind her.

Making love with Ric had been ... transcendent. His gentle kisses all over her body had her shivering in delight and anticipation. Every touch was a poem, every look was a song. In his arms, she felt warm and happy. It was everything she had hoped it would be. Her conversation with Laura the night before did not even flicker in her mind.

Behind her, Ric stirred. Elizabeth felt his arms tighten slightly around her as he stretched, then he kissed her neck and shoulders.

“Good morning,” he whispered.

“Yes, it is,” she said, rolling over to kiss him. They lay together kissing for a while. It led to more caresses, which led to more lovemaking.

“I think I'm ready for the Froot Loops,” Ric said afterward. Elizabeth laughed.

“Okay,” she said. “I'll go get them.”

Elizabeth put on a slip-style nightie and went into the kitchen. Ric put on his shorts and undershirt, and sat down at the dinette. He soon smelled coffee brewing. Elizabeth came out with the bowls and spoons in one hand, the cereal box in the other. She then brought out the coffee, mugs and cream.

It was a happy breakfast. Ric felt right at home at Elizabeth's table, and she felt at home having him there.

“What would you like to do today?” she asked.

“I have some ideas,” Ric said with a grin. “But I do have to go back to my place this afternoon. I have some bills to pay and laundry to do, and I have to call my folks today. They're leaving for Maine tomorrow – they have a house in a private colony on the coast, and it doesn't have phones.”

“No phones?”

“The only phone is in the community house,” Ric said. “Everything there is like it was 75 years ago. It's simple homes, old-fashioned furniture, screened-in porches and lots of wicker. The colony was created around the turn of the 20^th century for rich Boston families to live the rustic, back-to-basics life. No one has a swimming pool, or central air. The tennis courts are communal. Locals are hired for cooking, cleaning and maintenance.”

“What happens if there's an emergency?” Elizabeth asked.

“If I did need to reach them at night or something, I'd call the local sheriff,” Ric said. “He knows all the families there, and would go get them. Or I could call their caretaker there – he handles yard work, plumbing, things like that. He and his wife live in the village nearby.”

“You used to go there?”

“Every summer,” Ric said. “We'd do a few weeks at the Vineyard, but the last half of July and through Labor Day, we'd be at the colony. Dad would stay for two weeks, then go back to work and come up on weekends. He'd take the train up, and Mom would pick him up at the station. It's a beautiful place, Elizabeth. It's one of the last quiet spots on the New England coast. There are spots along the shore where you can just lose yourself in the peacefulness. And there's always something to do – tennis, shuffleboard, sailing, swimming, hiking, fishing, digging for clams. I eat like a pig there – lobsters, steamers and blueberry pie 'til they're coming out of my ears.”

Elizabeth laughed. “It sounds wonderful,” she said.

“I can't wait to show it to you,” he said. “That is, if you don't get sick of me by next summer.”

“Not likely,” Elizabeth replied.

“I have an idea for this morning, though,” Ric said, finishing the long-awaited Froot Loops. “A shower, followed by the paper in bed.”

“Oooh, I like that!” Elizabeth said. “Would you like to go first in the shower?”

“As long as you go with me.”

“Even better.”

* * *

Lucky, Lesley and Lulu were first to arrive at Luke and Laura's. Lesley knew something was up by the shadows under Laura's eyes. Everyone sat in the living room, and Luke told them about Nikolas' discovery, and how Luke had called Frisco for more information. He stopped there, explaining he'd tell the rest when Nikolas and Stefan arrived.

Stefan and Nikolas were punctual. Stefan looked pale and grim. Any hurt he felt over Nikolas not confiding in him was overshadowed by the fear that he'd somehow messed up, that his mother was out there somewhere waiting to pounce and destroy everything he'd worked to make of his life in the last several years.

After everyone was seated again, Luke picked up the tale.

“Frisco called last night while we were at the ball,” Luke said. “There's no easy way to say this.”

“Oh, my God,” Nikolas said. “Helena.”

“No,” Luke said. “It's Faison.”

Everyone except Luke and Laura gasped in horror. Lucky's eyes blazed. “What happens now?” he asked.

“What happens is, the WSB tracks him down to whatever rock he's hiding under,” Luke said. “Then I get a phone call, and I go join them and help take him down.”

“Do you know when?” Lesley asked.

“Could be tomorrow, could be next week, could be next month,” Luke said.

“Did they say anything about Helena?” Stefan asked. Luke shook his head.

“They can't find any scrap of an indication that she's out there,” Luke said. “You did the job well, I think.”

“Do they know why Faison is taking my grandmother's money, even now?” Nikolas asked.

“Nope,” Luke said. “All they know is that it's him doing the taking. With Faison, take your worst nightmare, and go past it about 50 miles.”

They all sat silently for a moment, remembering the nightmare Faison had visited upon them when he kidnapped Lucky for Helena, and let them all believe Lucky had died.

“Something else,” Luke said. “This has got to be kept quiet. When I go, I go quietly without anyone commenting on it. Treat it like I'm off fishing, or firing up the bong in Amsterdam. The only people who'll know are those who need to know, and it has to stay that way. I'd rather not have Emily and the Quartermaines know, if that's something you can do, Nikolas.” Nikolas nodded and Luke went on. “I'll be telling Barbara Jean about it, and a few associates. And I have to go tell Mac, Anna and Robin today,” he added, with a meaningful look at Stefan.

Stefan blanched as he remembered that Lucky's “death” wasn't Faison's first foray into Port Charles.

“Anna and Robin aren't safe as long as Faison is out there,” Stefan said in a tight voice.

“The WSB will be assigning agents to shadow them,” Luke said. “You can handle hospital access for them? They want it done as quietly as possible.” Stefan nodded.

“Absolutely,” Stefan said. “What about your family while you're gone?”

“They won't have WSB tails,” Luke said. “So I'll be counting on them to keep themselves safe, and knowing you guys will be around for backup.” Luke looked meaningfully at Lulu and went on. “Until I come home, Lulu, you're on Orange Alert. That means either your mother or Elton take you to and from school every day. Your mother has to know where you are at all times. If you're not going home after school, or if you want to do something on the weekends, whatever you're doing has to be approved by your mother ahead of time.”

“And when we say 'approved,' we mean you have to speak to me and tell me what, where, when, with who, and how you'll get home,” Laura chimed in. “Leaving a message on my voicemail or with Elton isn't good enough – you have to talk to me directly.”

Lulu nodded and made a face. Luke shook his head.

“You and me will talk more about that later, Lulu,” he said. “I know it won't be easy, but I gotta know I can count on you not to worry your mother while I'm gone.”

“Okay,” Lulu said.

“I'm going with you, Dad,” Lucky jumped in. Laura's face went white and Luke looked sharply at him.

“No, you're not,” Luke said. He turned to Stefan to say something, and Lucky jumped out of his seat.

“Don't dismiss me like that, Dad!” Lucky shouted. “I have a right to go after what Faison did to me!”

“It's not going to happen, Cowboy,” Luke said in a tight voice.

Lucky glared at Luke, his jaw clenched, his nostrils flaring. Stefan thought absently that he looked a lot like his cousin Carly at that moment.

“We'll see about that!” Lucky yelled. “I can always follow you – you trained me pretty well.”

Luke leaped up and grabbed Lucky by the ear.

“You even try it, I'll throw you overboard,” Luke growled. “I don't care if we're in the middle of the Atlantic or at 30,000 feet! I said 'no,' I have my reasons, and you'll just have to live with it!”

Lucky pulled angrily away from Luke and stormed out of the house. Upon a nod from Laura, Nikolas got up and followed.

“You didn't handle that well,” Laura said. Luke looked over at her, his face red. He sighed and sat down.

“I'm sorry, Angel,” he said. “But when Lucky started talking about coming along, all I could think to do was stop him any way I could.”

“You better talk to him, soon,” Laura said.

“I'll go see him after Anna's,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nikolas had caught up with Lucky as Lucky was unlocking his SUV.

“Hey, wait up there!” Nikolas said. “Calm down a bit before you drive.”

Lucky slammed his fist into the side of the SUV.

“Could you believe him?” Lucky demanded. “He acts like this should be no concern of mine as he, The Great Luke Spencer, will handle it all! Where does he get off?”

Lucky paced around the front yard for several minutes. Nikolas waited silently until Lucky had gone from boil to simmer.

“Lucky, we don't know everything,” Nikolas said. “Luke was his usual high-handed self, yeah. But I think there were some things he didn't tell, maybe because of everyone else there. Give him a chance to explain, okay?”

Lucky grimaced.

“Maybe,” he said. “It'd better be good, whatever it is.”

With that, Lucky got into the SUV and drove off. Nikolas went back into the house. Laura looked at him questioningly.

“I think he'll calm down enough to hear you out, Luke,” Nikolas said. “But be careful. He feels shut out, he's not going to listen to anything.”

Luke nodded. “Thanks,” he said.

“There's something else we need to cover,” Stefan said. “Should we tell Alexis about this? She wouldn't like being kept in the dark.”

“I don't have any problem with that,” Luke said. “As long as she and Cameron know it's to be kept quiet.”

“Do you need money or anything?” Nikolas asked. “Whatever you need, I'd be glad to help.” Stefan smiled at Nikolas' generosity.

“Thanks,” Luke said, thinking of a safe in the basement. “But I'm good. I'll be traveling fairly light. But if I do need anything, I'll get in touch with you, either directly or through your mother.”

* * *

A little while later, Luke and Stefan walked up to Anna's front door. She let them in with a puzzled expression.

“This has to be serious if Spencer and Cassadine are teaming up,” she said, trying for levity. Luke met her halfway with a grin.

“Anything for you two,” Luke said, nodding at Robin. Then he turned sober. “You're right, Anna. It is serious.”

The five gathered around Anna's kitchen table. Anna instinctively clutched Robin's arm when Luke told her Faison was out there and drawing money from an old account of Helena's.

“What the hell is he up to?” Mac demanded.

“WSB isn't sure yet,” Luke said. “But as soon as they find out, I'm off to shut him down once and for all.”

“God knows where he is,” Anna said. “He could come after us again!” She looked at Robin, terror in her eyes.

Stefan and Luke told her about the WSB sending agents to watch over them.

“I'll make sure they have total access to the hospital,” Stefan said. “And I'll handle any questions from Alan.”

“Thanks,” Robin said gratefully.

“I'm going when they find him,” Anna said. Luke shook his head.

“Frisco guessed you'd say that,” Luke said. “He said to tell you absolutely not.”

Anna flared up.

“What, he thinks I can't cut it out in the field?” she cried. “This is my family, I have to do something to protect Robin, and myself!”

Robin looked at Anna, her eyes wide. But she said nothing.

“Anna, Faison was obsessed with you,” Luke said. “If he so much as catches a whiff of you anywhere near him, it could blow everything.”

“I have to...” she began. Mac broke in.

“No, Anna!” he said. “What you have to do is stay here and protect Robin! What would Robert say your first priority is?”

“You can protect her while I'm gone,” she said.

“No!” Robin cried vehemently, pounding the table with her fists. Anna looked at her with wide eyes.

“Faison already stole my dad from me,” Robin said, tears pouring out of her eyes. “And I lost all those years with you. Mom, I don't know what's going to happen with me, but whatever it is, whenever it is, I need you here! I couldn't take it if Faison got you for good this time! Please, don't go! Please!”

Robin put her head in her hands and sobbed. Anna pulled Robin to her and rocked her, looking guiltily at Mac.

“I'll stay, Darling, I'll stay,” she whispered, stroking Robin's hair. Then she looked over at Luke.

“Make sure the job's done,” she said fiercely.

“I will,” Luke said “For you, for Robin, for Robert, for Laura, and for Lucky. It'll be done.”

* * *

Courtney Matthews strolled the Waterfront District late in the afternoon.

She was feeling restless and ill-tempered after the confrontation with Carly at last night's Nurses' Ball. The way Stefan had immediately blamed her for the confrontation galled her. Carly gets to act like gutter trash because she's a Quartermaine, Courtney thought, but I get ripped for defending myself? What a load of crap.

Luke's was up the street. Courtney decided to stop for a drink, then go to the market to pick up a salad for supper.

Courtney ordered a Manhattan, and sat in a quiet corner sipping it for a while. She read a fashion magazine, looking for colorful clothes for the fall. It'd be time for another shopping spree soon. She saw a pretty princess seamed coat in raspberry tweed, and a halter top in turquoise velvet with beading under the bust.

After finishing her drink, Courtney went into the ladies room before heading to the market. After sitting down on the toilet, she saw a hand reach from under the wall.

“Excuse me, do you have any paper?” a voice said.

“Sure,” Courtney replied. “Hold on.” She pulled out a long roll of it and placed it in the hand.

“Thanks,” the woman said. Courtney heard a nose being blown, and faint crying.

“You okay?” Courtney asked.

“Just found out I was being used by a guy, that's all,” said the woman. It was Reese Marshall.

“Ouch, sorry,” Courtney said. “How'd you find out?”

“Morning paper,” Reese said, handing over a folded-over newspaper page. Courtney scanned it – it was the color photo spread in the Herald of the Nurses' Ball.

“See that guy in the center left photo?” Reese asked, in a slightly slurred voice that indicated to Courtney that she'd been at Luke's for a while. Courtney stared – it was Jason Quartermaine.

“Yeah, I see him,” Courtney said. “What'd he do?”

“Lied about who he was,” Reese said. “And he was using me as a stand-in for his sister-in-law. Look at her – now I know why he liked me to wear my blonde wig. It's just like hers.”

In her stall, Courtney smiled wickedly.

“What are you going to do?” Courtney asked.

“I'm gonna rip him a new one is what,” Reese said.

“Why make a fool of yourself?” Courtney said smoothly. “Get some revenge without getting down and dirty.”

“Yeah? How?”

“Let his brother in on the dirty little secret,” Courtney said. “Guy's got a right to know his brother's sniffing after his wife. You don't have to tell the brother who you are, just throw out a few details to let him know you're on the level.”

Silence on the other end for a few minutes.

“You know, that's a good idea,” Reese said. “Thanks!”

“Don't mention it,” Courtney replied, adding “Really, don't,” under her breath. She got up and left the stall, washing her hands at the sink. She heard a strange noise, the left the ladies' room, waving her hand in front of her nose. She left Luke's in a much better mood.

* * *

The supper crowd was just starting when Luke walked into Vagabond. After he'd left Anna's, he went to tell Bobbie. Bobbie had turned pale at the thought of Luke going into such danger, but knew it had to be done.

“I'll be here for Laura and the kids, you know that,” she said.

“You've always got my back, Barbara Jean,” he said.

Lucky was nowhere to be seen when Luke entered. Coleman nodded towards the office. Luke nodded back in thanks, walked over to the closed office door and knocked.

“Come in,” Lucky said. He looked up to see Luke, and his face clouded a little bit.

“Hey, Cowboy, I think we need some air-clearing,” Luke said. Lucky nodded.

“Let's go up to the apartment,” he said.

When they got upstairs, Luke sat on the couch. Lucky paced around.

“Why, Dad?” Lucky said. “Why'd you treat me like some stupid kid? You know I can handle myself there, why are you determined to stop me from coming?”

Luke looked down and took a deep breath to stay calm.

“I'm sorry I jumped on you, Lucky,” Luke said, looking up into Lucky's eyes. “I just panicked when I thought of you following me. If it was up to just me, you'd be there – there's no one I'd trust more in that situation, except maybe for Robert. But, for a lot of reasons, it can't be.”

“Why not?” Lucky asked, pulling up then straddling a kitchen chair.

“Frisco had to pull strings and call in a bunch of chits to get me on board,” Luke said. “And it's only because of my past work for them that they're going along – I'm a known quantity to them. You're not, and their generosity's not going to extend to you. If you came along and we got caught, we'd both be out of the mission. And at least one of us has to be there to make sure the job's done.”

Lucky nodded. “I guess,” he said sullenly. “But there's something else.”

“Yeah,” Luke said. “Your mother. We've never really talked about what happened after Faison took you and made sure we believed you were dead.”

Lucky looked away, remembering his own experience at the time.

“Your mother fell apart at the morgue,” Luke said. “She fell into my arms with wails and sobs that tore through me like a machete. She pulled it together long enough to get through the funeral, but afterwards ... she started to really fall apart. I mean, she almost broke down completely. Your grandmother and I had to put her in the hospital. She was catatonic for a few days, and I was terrified she'd stay like that. But the treatment worked and she came out of it. She was on antidepressants for a while after she came home, and Lulu, Nikolas, Lesley and me were able to help her through. But I can't risk putting her through that again, Cowboy. I don't think she'd survive losing you a second time.”

Lucky wiped the tears off his cheeks with the heel of his palm.

“There's something else,” Luke said. “I need you here. If I'm going to go do this, I have to know that you're here to protect your mother and Lulu. Nikolas is fine, but you ... I trust you implicitly. I raised you, I trained you, I know I can count on you. Your mother's going to need you, too. And we need you to help keep Lulu in line. We've never put her on this short a leash, and it's gonna be hard for her. And if I ... don't come home, you'll have to be here for the both of them.”

“Don't talk like that, Dad!” Lucky said.

“I have to, Cowboy,” Luke said with quiet firmness. “I have every intention of coming home. But my first priority is stopping Faison once and for all. And if I don't make it back, you have to step up and handle things here. First is the matter of my will.”

Lucky grimaced. Luke noticed, but went on.

“There's a copy in the bedroom safe, and Alexis has one on file in her office,” Luke said. “I made out a new one after we incorporated Quad-L Entertainment. You'll get my shares of Vagabond, Lulu will get my shares of Luke's. Your mother gets the Haunted Star, and will keep any holdings that go to Lulu in trust for her until she's 25. My other investments will mostly go to you, Lulu and your mother. But I've also left some for Bobbie, Lucas, Carly and the boys. I've set up some charitable endowments – the Stone Cates Wing, Mary Mae's foundation. There will also be some mementos to give out to friends. Nikolas gets the painting of Helena.”

Lucky laughed. “I'm sure he'll love that,” he said.

“Yeah, it'd make a fun dartboard,” Luke said with a chuckle. “So, we're on the same page? I go, you stay?”

Lucky nodded. “I wish it were different, but, yeah,” he said. “I'll stay.”

* * *

By the time Felicia, Lorenzo, Jax and Jerry had come to the Haunted Star that night, Luke was getting pretty tired of telling the story. But he told it again.

“Oh, God,” Felicia said. “How did Mac take it?”

“Pretty bravely,” Luke said. “His main concern was keeping Anna from going after Faison herself. Got pretty intense with Robin for a while.”

“So, what can we do?” Lorenzo asked.

“Nothing, right now,” Luke said. “When I leave, it'll be pretty low-key. Just keep it that way. The main reason I wanted you all in on this is the possibility that I don't come back. I need to know you'll be there for my family. Lucky will need help with the business stuff, and I know you'll be there for Barbara Jean, Jerry. I just wanted you all to know so that you'll be prepared if the worst happens.”

“Don't let it,” Jax said. “Port Charles wouldn't be the same without you.”

There was a knock on the door. Lucy walked in.

“Anything I should know about?” she asked.

“Nope,” Luke said with a grin. “Just some personal business stuff.”

“I've got some spreadsheet stuff to do,” Lucy said. “See you later.”

She shut the door. Luke's grin went wider.

“We who are about to die salute you,” he said whimsically.

“Huh?” Felicia said. “Not something to joke ab--”

“LUCAS LORENZO SPENCER!!!!!” Lucy yelled from her office. She stormed into Luke's office, grabbed a pillow off the couch, and began pummeling him with it.

“You little ... why you ... I oughta ...murderize you!” she panted between whacks.

“What's going on, Lucy?” Felicia demanded.

“Go into her office and find out,” Luke said, laughing. Everyone ran over to look.

“Oh, no! Wait!” Lucy called and ran after them. Luke followed.

Felicia, Lorenzo, Jerry and Jax were all doubled over laughing in Lucy's office. Luke had made poster-sized prints of pictures he'd taken of Lucy in her panties at the Nurses' Ball last night, and hung them in her office. He'd even set one up as her desktop wallpaper. Luke stood in the doorway, grinning, and lit a cigar. Lucy looked from him, to the others, to the walls, to the computer.

“Oh, fudge!” she groaned, and joined in the laughter.