17

The night of the Nurse’s Ball had arrived at last. Everyone was teaming with excitement and anticipation. From the acts, to the chance of seeing Lucy once again ending up naked at the end of the night, everyone was looking forward to something. Elizabeth was looking forward to once again singing and dancing alongside Lucky once again. She still remembered the first performance they did together, all those years ago. How nervous she was and how she only had to look at him to give her the courage she needed to pull the performance off. Tonight was going to be just like the old times. Times when Jason Morgan was nothing more then Lucky’s boss and a mysterious stranger to Elizabeth. Not a true obstacle to the soon to be lovers. Times before Helena began changing Lucky; turning him into a angry puppet for her to command and control.

"Just put it on!" Gia held the T-bird jacket up for Nikolas to take. She looked great, with her long braids tied back in a ponytail, wearing a poodle skirt and a pink ladies jacket.

"Come on man," Nikolas looked to his brother for help. "Tell her I don’t have to wear that tacky jacket."

"Sorry brother of mine. But if I have to wear one, so do you," Lucky laughed.

"So how much longer?" Elizabeth asked, stepping up behind Lucky, her backstage jitters finally arriving.

"Well, we have Robin’s Speech, Zander and Emily’s performance and then it’s us. So I’d say about thirty minutes," Lucky looked at his watch.

"Wow, you guys look great," Emily and Zander approached them. "We just thought we’d come over and wish you luck."

"Yeah, break a leg," Jason and Robin join them. Elizabeth couldn’t help noticing how tightly Jason held Robin’s hand, standing extra close to her. As if she’d fall into a dozen pieces if Jason was there.

"Thank you Emily," She purposely ignored their arrival. No use tormenting herself tonight, right? She was here to have fun and raise money for a good cause. She wasn’t going to let Jason and Robin ruin it for her. "Come on guys. I want to rehearse one more time."

Lucky smiled and waved good-bye to Em as he followed his girlfriend downstairs to the rehearsal area.

"That was rude," Robin tightened her hold on Jason’s hand, just in case he had any idea of running off after Elizabeth.

"Well, can you blame her?" Zander turned on the couple, wanting to stand up for Elizabeth. Having seen the mess that was a newly dumped Elizabeth Webber, he thought that both Jason and Robin deserved whatever treatment they received. "You two are acting like you’ve done nothing wrong."

"Zander please. Not tonight. This night isn’t about our mundane problems and us. It’s about helping people," Emily laid a restraining hand on her boyfriend’s shoulder, worried that he would upset an already jittery Robin. Tonight meant so much for her. She was probably drowning in memories of Stone right now.

"You’re right," Zander sighed, irritably. Yes, tonight was about helping people, but he wasn’t about to stand around and kiss Robin and Jason’s feet like everyone else was. "Come on. Let’s find some place to rehearse."

"Bye," Emily waved to Jason as Zander dragged her away.

~*~

Lucy Coe stood on the stage, microphone in hand. She had just finished her opening speech and was staring out at the crowd with obvious satisfaction. "Ladies and Gentlemen. It is now my utmost pleasure to introduce a very special guest this evening. Someone who is very close to my own heart. A young lady who’s battling this disease everyday of her life. Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome Robin Scorpio!"

The auditorium erupted with applause as Robin stepped out, looking stunning in the red gown she had purchased in Europe. When the room settled down, she began. "Everyone by now knows my story, of how I contracted the HIV virus. You also know of my now deceased boyfriend Stone Cates. I cannot convey how much your prayers and suuprt have meant to the both of us. Especially to me. It’s helped me through this long fight. I am grateful for all of your support. Both of us. Me and my fiancess, Jason Morgan!"

The auditorium erupted with happy applause. Standing backstage, Elizabeth rolled her eyes. Everyone was acting as if Robin was some sort of God. But she knew better. Robin was just as mortal as everyone else.

"I promise you tonight," Robin continued, her eyes shining with tears. "I will continue to fight! I swear, HIV will not beat me!"

More thunderous applause. A blush heating her face, Robin returned to Jason. She had said all she was going to say and was now pretty tired from the anticipation of it all.

"About time," Elizabeth snorted.

"Be nice," Lucky whispered in her ear, rubbing her tense shoulders. Despite the fact that Robin was the reason Elizabeth had returned to Port Charles in ruins, he couldn’t help but to respect her. Even with such a deadly disease, she was strong and determined to live a normal life.

Lucy was back on stage, this time in a red strapless dress. She smiled out at the crowd. "Thank you Robin. You’re an inspiration to us all. But now it’s time for the first performance! Zander Smith and Emily Quartermaine singing Picture!"

Lucy glided off the stage as another curtain raised to reveal what looked to be a bar. Zander was setting on one side and Emily on the other.

Zander: (Takes out a wallet sized picture of Emily and begins to sing) Livin' my life in a slow hell
Different girl every night at the hotel
I aint seen the sun shine in 3 damn days
Been fuelin' up on cocaine and whisky
Wish I had a good girl to miss me
Lord I wonder if I'll ever change my ways
I put your picture away
Sat down and cried the day
I can't look at you, I'm lyin' next to her
I put your picture away, sat down and cried today
I can't look at you I'm lyin' next to her

Emily: (Sighs. Takes out a wallet sized picture of Zander)

I called you lastnight in the hotel
Everyone knows but they wont tell
But their half hearted smiles tell me
Somethin' just ain't right
I been waitin' on you for a long time
Fuelin' up on heartaches and cheap wine
I ain't heard from you in 3 damn nights
I put your picture away
I wonder where you been
I can't look at you while I'm lyin' next to him
I put your picture away
I wonder where you been
I can't look at you while I'm lyin' next to him
I saw ya yesterday with an old friend

Zander: It was the same ole same "how have you been"

Zander and Emily: Since you been gone my worlds been dark & grey

Zander: You reminded me of brighter days

Emily: I hoped you were comin' home to stay I was head of the church

Zander: I was off to drink you away

Emily and Zander: (Get off their stools and walk into each other arms, swaying to the music) I thought about you for a long time
Can't seem to get you off my mind
I can't nderstand why we're living life this way
I found your picture today
I swear I'll change my ways
I just called to say I want you to come back home
I found your picture today
I swear I'llc hange my ways
I just called to say I want you to come back home
I just called to say, I love you come back home

(Curtain closes on Emily and Zander in a deep kiss.)

"Wasn’t that nice," Lucy came back out on stage in a blue backless gown. "Our next act, you all will recognize. Here, performing Summer Nights from Grease, are Elizabeth Webber, Lucky Spencer, Gia Campbell, and Nikolas Cassadine!"

Applause thunders as the curtain Lifts to reveal two sets of bleachers on the left and a picnic table on the right.

Lucky and Nikolas sat on the bleachers, while Elizabeth and Gia set at the picnic table.

"So Lucky, what did you do this summer?" Nikolas asked.

"I met a girl," Lucky grinned.

"Elizabeth, tell me about that boy you met this summer," Gia leaned on the table, her face lighting up with interest.

"He was cute and sweet," Elizabeth sighed dreamily.

"Come on Lucky! Tell me more!" Nikolas whined as the music started up.

"Tell me more!" Gia demanded.

Lucky: Summer lovin' had me a blast

Elizabeth: Summer lovin', happened so fast

Lucky: I met a girl crazy for me

Elizabeth: I met a boy, cute as can be

Lucky and Elizabeth: Summer days driftin' away,
To uh-oh those summer nights

Gia and Nikolas: Tell me more, tell me more,

Nikolas: Did you get very far?

Gia and Nikolas: Tell me more, tell me more,

Gia: Like, does he have a car?

Lucky: She swam by me, she got a cramp

Elizabeth: He went by me, got my suit damp

Lucky: I saved her life, she nearly drowned

Elizabeth: He showed up, splashing around

Lucky and Elizabeth: Summer sun, something's begun,
but uh-oh those summer nights

Nikolas and Gia: Tell me more, tell me more,

Gia: Was it love at first sight?

Nikolas and Gia: Tell me more, tell me more,

Nikolas: Did she put up a fight?

Lucky: Took her bowlin' in the Arcade

Elizabeth: We went strollin', drank lemonade

Lucky: We made out under the dock

Elizabeth: we stayed up until ten o'clock

Lucky and Elizabeth: Summer fling don't mean a thing,
But uh-oh those summer nights

Nikolas and Gia: Tell me more, tell me more,

Nikolas: But you don't gotta brag

Nikolas and Gia: Tell me more, tell me more,

Gia: Cause he sounds like a drag

Elizabeth: He got friendly, holdin' my hand

Lucky: Well she got friendly, down in the sand

Elizabeth: He was sweet, just turned eighteen

Lucky: Well she was good, you know what I mean

Lucky and Elizabeth: Summer heat, boy and girl meet,
But uh-oh those summer nights

Nikolas and Gia: Tell me more, tell me more,

Gia: How much dough did he spend?

Nikolas and Gia: Tell me more, tell me more,

Nikolas: Could she get me a friend?

Elizabeth: It turned colder that’s where it ends

Lucky: So I told her we'd still be friends

Elizabeth: Then we made our true love vow

Lucky: Wonder what she's doin' now

Lucky and Elizabeth: Summer dreams ripped at the seams,
But oh, those summer nights

Nikolas and Gia: Tell me more, tell me more.

Later, out on the balcony, Nikolas, Gia, Elizabeth, and Lucky were all talking about their performance just thirty minutes earlier. All of them were oblivious to Emily and Zander’s approach, until Emily cleared her throat.

"Em, Zander! Hi," Lucky greeted. "Long time, no see."

"We’ve been pretty busy with the nurse’s ball and the wedding," Elizabeth explained, her eyes falling on Elizabeth. She hadn’t meant to mention Jason’s wedding in front of her.

"What do you want Em?" Nikolas asked, curious himself. Ever since Jason’s return to Port Charles, Emily had made herself scarce.

"Well, Zander and I are on our way to Luke’s. Do you guys want to join us?" Emily asked, wringing her hands nervously. She knew that Elizabeth was still very angry about what happened the other day. Emily was dying to make it up to her.

Lucky and Elizabeth looked at one another and then at his brother and Gia. Nikolas shrugged. They really didn’t have any other plans or anything. So why not?

"Sure. We’re there," Lucky grinned, looking at Elizabeth and breathing a bit easier. Maybe things will get back to normal between the two women after all.

~*~

Luke’s was barely full that night since everyone was at the Nurse’s Ball. Lucky and the others spotted Emily and Zander at the far table, against a wall.

"You’re here!" Emily got to her feet as her friends approached.

"We told you we’d come," Nikolas laughed at Emily’s surprise.

"I thought that you might have gotten held up at the ball or something. You guys were great up there, by the way," Emily smiled.

"You weren’t so bad yourself. Was she Elizabeth?" Lucky looked at Elizabeth. She had yet to talk to Emily. He sighed, remembering a time, not too long ago when both girls would talk endlessly to one another. Damn Jason. Another relationship he had destroyed.

Elizabeth opened her mouth to say something, thinking that maybe it was time to forgive Emily for dumping her for Robin, when Jason and Robin entered the club, a big smile on her face. Jason looked like he rather have been somewhere else, but there. But Robin…she looked as if she was on top of the world.

To both Elizabeth and Lucky’s horror, the couple approached their table and pulled up a few chairs. Lucky squeezed Elizabeth’s hand in a show of support. She looked as if she was going to be sick at any moment.

"Hey Em," Robin smiled. "You don’t care if we join you, do you?"

"No. Of course not," Emily shook her head without really thinking.

"We need to talk about the wedding. Jason and I can’t figure out where to hold it. I was thinking about Mt. Hebron. What do you think?"
Elizabeth gasped. That church…that was her and Lucky’s place! Where they had made the permanent lock vow! How dare Jason and Robin think of desecrating it with their big mob wedding? They would never appreciate the true beauty of the place! The serenity! She looked at Lucky, begging him to put a stop to this travesty.

"But wouldn’t be too small?" Lucky saw the panic in Elizabeth’s eyes. He too , didn’t want the church used by the likes of Jason Morgan. To have Jason there after what he did to Elizabeth…it was unthinkable!

"It’d be perfect!" Emily clapped her hands in excitement. "Robin would look so beautiful in a setting like that."

"That church is meant for small affairs Emily. Not for something as big as the wedding Jason and Robin will be having," Nikolas tried to help, knowing how important the place had been to his brother.

"Not too little for ours," Jason kissed Robin tenderly, forgetting that they weren’t alone. "In fact, I have a surprise for my bride to be. Here," He handed her a square box. "Open it."

Looking at her fiancée in suspiciously, Robin opened the box and her yees widened in surprise and delight. "It’s the deed! Are you telling me that perfect little church is ours?"
Smiling Jason nodded. "Now we don’t have to worry about booking it or anything."

Robin squealed in happiness, throwing her arms around Jason’s neck. "I love you!"

Stunned that her and Lucky’s church now belong to Jason and Robin, Elizabeth got to her feet and headed for the door. Her lungs felt as if they were going to explode as she pushed her way through crowd, needing to get away from the noise that was filling her head.

"Elizabeth!" Lucky called, racing after her; trying to get to her before she was out the door. "Elizabeth, wait!"

er hand was on the knob, she was just about to step out into the cool night air, when she felt his hand on her arm. Her blue eyes met his and soon she was collapsing into his arms. Sobs shook her petite frame.

"It’s gone Lucky! Our church is gone! Jason and Robin…they took it from us! Just one more thing they had stolen away from me!" Elizabeth clung to him for dear life.

"Shhh Elizabeth. It’s ok. We’ll get a new place."

She looked at him in disbelief. "Find a new place? Lucky, Mt. Hebron was where we took our vows! Remember? How can there ever be another place?"

Lucky grinned as an idea popped into his head. Something that made perfect sense. After all, he did love Elizabeth. He had never stopped loving her, and he did trust her again. Their recent night of passion proved that..

"By marrying me," his answer was to the point. He wanted to make Elizabeth Mrs. Lucky Spencer as soon as possible.

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