2
Laura sat at
her desk looking over her family album, smiling at pictures of Lucky when he
was two years old. It was so hard to believe that he was ever that small
looking at him now. He had grown up so fast, faster than most. Laura sighed and
looked at the picture of her eldest son setting atop her desk next to his
brother’s. She wished they had grown up together as normal children.
"Lasha
what are you doing at this time of day? It’s time to come home," Stephan
entered the office.
"I was
just looking over old photos of Lucky and wishing my boys had grown up together
as normal children. It’s so unfair Stephen. Their whole childhood has been
thrown out the door and for what? To be raised as a prince? To move from place
to place at a drop of the hat just to run away from your parents and then get
kidnapped time and again by your parent’s enemies? It’s so unfair."
"Lasha,
your sons are happy now. Nikolas is in a wonderful relationship and Lucky is
now safe and happily married. Soon it will be Nikolas’s turn to wed."
Laura sighed
and closed the album. "I know I should be happy. But I just can’t help
looking back. Wishing that things were different for my sons. But then again if
they were different, they wouldn’t be the strong men they are today I
suppose."
"Come.
You’re hungry. Let’s go eat dinner," Stephen helped her from her desk.
Both stop as they notice the man standing in the door way.
"May I
help you?" Laura asked curiously.
"Yes.
I’m looking for a job as a photographer," The man answered. "My name
is Thomas. Thomas Cook."
"Well I
am looking for a photographer. Our old one quit on us…do you have any
references Mr. Cook?"
"Here
you go," The man hand her a folder.
"Impressive,"
Laura nodded, arching her eyebrow. "Listen, we have a shoot scheduled for
the face of deception tomorrow. Why don’t you come down then and take some test
shots? I can let you know that you have the job then."
"That’ll
be great. Thank you Mrs. Spencer," Thomas smiled happily as Laura handed
him back the folder. "I’ll see you then."
"Good bye Mr. Cook," Laura smiled, feeling Stephen’s gaze on her.
"What?"
"Aren’t
you going to check those references?" Stephen asked.
"Oh
Stephen you’re always so suspicious. There’s no need, the man looks honest
enough. Now come. I’m hungry."
As the
couple walk pass a dark corner, Thomas Cook steps out and smiles evilly. Mrs.
Cassadine was going to be pleased. So far their plan was working out perfectly.
*
Gia handed
Nikolas the can of beer he requested as he sat brooding on the couch.
"Feeling
better?" She ran a hand through his ebony hair.
Nikolas
looked up at the ring of the bell.
"I’ll
get that," Gia volunteered. She opened the door to Lucky, Elizabeth and
Emily.
"Nikolas!"
Emily ran into the cottage. Nikolas stood up and folded her in a tight hug.
"They’ve
told you huh?" Nikolas asked.
"How
could they do this Nikolas? After all that pervert did to me and Elizabeth, how
could they let him out?"
"He was
a good boy," Nikolas shrugged, going back to his couch. He looked up at
Elizabeth. "How are you holding up? Out of all of us he hurt you the
most."
"I’m hanging by a thread. But other than that I’m ok," Elizabeth
forced a smile.
"This has
thrown us all for a loop," Lucky nodded. "Has there been anything
else on him?"
"Nada," Nikolas shook his head. "Hey listen, maybe he left Port
Charles. Who says he’s even in the state."
"That’s
right," Gia nodded. "He can be long gone and you four are worrying
about nothing."
"And
Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny are real. Come on you guys we put the guy
away. We ruined his career. He’s going to be out for revenge," Elizabeth
clung to Lucky’s hand.
Everyone
jumped at the sound of the phone. "I’ll get that," Nikolas picked up
the reciever. "Hello? It’s for you Liz."
"Hello?"
Elizabeth asked, wondering who it could be calling her at Nikolas’s.
"I’m
back baby doll. Not a word," a raspy voice replied before hanging up.
"Elizabeth,"
Lucky got up and went to his wife who had gone deathly pale. "Elizabeth
who was it?"
"It was
him. It was him. He said not a word Lucky. He said not a word," She burst
into tears, turning into her husband’s embrace.
"I’m
going to kill him," Lucky glared at Nikolas.
"Not if
I get to him first," Nikolas growled.
"I’m
calling my brother," Gia went to the phone. "He’s going to want to
know this pervert’s making threatening phone calls."
Lucky took
out his cell phone and began dialing.
"Who
are you calling?" Nikolas asked.
"Sonny
Corinthos. I want a couple of men put on Elizabeth and Emily. I’m not taking
any chances with this guy," Lucky explained. "Hey Sonny, it’s Lucky.
Listen can you do me a favor, come over to my brother’s cottage. It’s
important. Thanks."
"Well?"
Emily asked expectantly.
"He’s
on his way," Lucky answered.
"Taggert’s
on his way," Gia hung up the phone.
"This
is going to be good," Emily collapsed on a nearby couch. "Taggert and
Sonny in the same house. Nikolas I hope you put up your breakables."
"Sonny Corinthos? What does he have to do with this?" Gia asked.
"I
called him. I want him to put some guards on Elizabeth and Emily," Lucky
explained.
"Taggert
can take care of that," Gia looked at both of the brothers.
"Yeah
like he took care of my brother when Helena kidnapped him that year,"
Nikolas snorted. "No thank you."
"Hey
don’t blame psychogrannie’s crimes on my brother," Gia warned.
"Come
on you guys. Let’s not fight. That’s what Tom wants. Divide and conquer,"
Elizabeth sighed. "Taggert needs to know what’s going on. Believe me, I’ve
learned my lesson about avoiding the cops. Maybe if I had gone to the cops in
the beginning, Tom would still be in jail. I’m not making that mistake
again."
"Let’s
all just calm down and wait for the reinforcements," Lucky led Elizabeth
to the couch and protectively wrapped a arm around her.
Fifteen
minutes later, Gia opened the door to Taggert.
"Ok,
what’s going on here?" Taggert entered the cottage. "My sister tells
me there’s been a harrassing phone call."
"Tom
called," Lucky got to his feet. "He talked to Elizabeth."
"What
did he say?"
"Not a
word. Just like he did after he raped me," Elizabeth flatly replied.
"Not a word."
"Did he
say anything else to you?" Taggert asked. Elizabeth just shook her head.
"There
is something you can do isn’t there?" Emily asked. "There has to
be."
Taggert
sighed regretfully. "I’m sorry. There’s nothing I can do. You have no
proof that it was Tom and…"
"What do you mean there’s no proof!" Lucky angrily yelled. "He
said not a word! A loaded phrase for Elizabeth! That in itself is a threat!
What are you going to do? Wait until he does it again?!"
"Listen
Lucky, I wish I could throw the man back in jail and throw away the key just on
that. But I can’t. He has to make an out right threat plus you have to be sure
it’s him. I’m sorry. Listen if he calls back and does threaten Elizabeth give
me a call."
"Lucky
what did you call me about?" Sonny entered the cottage and stops short
when he saw Taggert. "What are you doing here?"
"I was
called. What are you doing here?"
"I was
called," Sonny shrugged.
"Finally
someone who will listen to us," Nikolas threw his hands up in frustration.
"Nikolas
that’s not fair. Marcus can’t go against the rules of the justice system,"
Gia defended her brother.
"I
called Sonny. Somehow I knew you wouldn’t do anything to protect Elizabeth, so
I called someone who will," Lucky crossed his arms. "You can go and
protect Tom Baker’s right now. You’re no longer needed."
"Lucky
listen, this isn’t the way to go…" Taggert tried.
"We
tried going to the cops and got turned down," Emily sided with her friend.
"Now it’s time for other measures."
"Well…I
hope you kids know what you’re doing and keep my sister out of it,"
Taggert looked at the group Then back at Sonny. "Corinthos."
"Taggert,"
Sonny watched the cop leave. "I take it he wouldn’t help you with whatever
your problem is would he?"
"I’m
not surprised really," Lucky sighed. "Listen we need your help. Can
you put a couple of guards on Emily and Elizabeth?"
"May I
ask why? Is Helena giving you guys trouble again?" Sonny asked.
"No.
It’s not Helena this time. You remember that thing with me and the blackmail
and everything?" Emily asked.
"Oh
yeah. Locked you and Elizabeth in the darkroom. What about him?"
"Well…he’s
out on good behavior and he had just called and made a threat to Elizabeth. Can
you put some guards on them, make sure they’re safe?" Lucky asked.
"Sure
thing. I can do that. Do you want me to get someone to tail the guy for
you?"
"We’ll
get back to you on that one," Nikolas answered before Lucky could. The
less he had to do with Sonny Corinthos the better.
"Ok
then. Elizabeth expect to be followed first thing tomorrow morning. I trust
you’ll be safe with your husband for the night."
"Most
certainly," Elizabeth smiled, snuggling close to her husband. "Thank
you Sonny."
"Ok.
See you later," Sonny left.
"I hope
you know what you’re doing involving Corinthos Lucky."
"He’s
come through for us before Nikolas. He’ll do it again," Lucky reassured
his brother. "Don’t worry."
*
Luke Spencer
stood on the docks, just staring at the yacht anchored a distance away. He knew
who the owner was and didn’t like the implications of what it meant at all.
"What’s
going on Luke?" Robert Scorpio stepped up beside his old friend.
"The bat’s
back in town Robert. After two long years she’s back and brewing something up
in that couldren of hers."
"What
do you think it is?"
"Don’t
know. But she better not come a inch near my family. I’ll have to kill
her."
"Luke…"
Robert warned.
"Robert
don’t. I know you mean well but don’t tell me that murdering that old crow
won’t solve any problems. It’ll keep my family safe and that’s what matters. I
mean…wouldn’t you have killed Faison if he showed up and was laying in wait
just to protect Chance and Anna?"
"I
guess I would. I just hate to see you rotting away in prison."
"Well I
won’t be. Just as long as the bat keeps her distance."