3
Laura stood
outside, waiting for everyone to arrive for that morning’s shoot. So far
everyone was late except for the Mr. Cook. He was right on time and was busy
helping Sven set up the equipment. She reminded herself to pay the man for the
extra work.
"Sorry
I’m late," Gia rushed onto the docks.
"Don’t
talk, get in the dressing room," Laura pointed. "And tell that son of
mine that when I have a shoot I expect my star model to be well rested and on
time."
"Yes
Mrs. Spencer," Gia stiffled a giggle.
"Mr.
Cook. I’m going to let you take the first couple of shoots. I want to see you
in action," Laura explained. "Gia should be out in the next twenty
minutes, hopefully not even that long."
"I’m in
no hurry Mrs. Spencer. Just take your time," Thomas smiled reassuringly.
"Ok
everyone get ready to take your places. As soon as Gia comes out we’re going to
begin," Laura ordered.
Fifteen
minutes later, Gia appears out of the dressing room, ready to model.
"Ok
Gia, so you know I’m considering hiring Mr. Cook here as one of our
photographers. He’s going to take some test shoots of you before we really
begin. Let’s make this quick since we’re running behind schedule," Laura
ordered. "Are you ready Thomas?"
"Sure
thing Mrs. Spencer," Thomas got behind the camera. "So tell me Gia?
Got a boyfriend?"
"What
business of it is yours?" Gia asked, posing as Thomas took the pictures.
"I talk
to the models, get them to open up as I take the pictures. It adds personality and
emotion to the pictures. It also gets them to relax," Thomas explained.
"Oh.
Well then yes I have a boyfriend. Nikolas Cassadine. You may have heard of him,
he’s a Prince," Gia posed.
"Oh
yes. I’ve heard of him alright. Treats you good?"
"Like a princess," Gia smiled for the camera.
"I
suppose his family likes you huh?"
"Half
in half. His father’s half hates me but his mother’s half likes me. Go
figure."
"Don’t
worry. The other half will come around. A beautiful girl like yourself ."
Gia blushed
at the compliment.
"Ok.
That shall do!" Laura stepped into the scene. "Mr. Cook thank you for
your patience. And I must say, I like your technique. I’ll call you just as
soon as these pictures are developed. Thank you."
"No
thank you Mrs. Spencer. It felt good being behind a camera again. Gia I hope
we’ll be working together soon," Thomas nodded and left the scene, a smile
on his face. Everything was going as plan.
*
Elizabeth
stepped into Kelly’s ready to start her shift. Even though there wasn’t a need
to work there anymore, she just couldn’t bring herself to quit. Glancing across
the room she saw two men nonchalantly playing cards. She knew instantly that
they were Sonny’s men and weren’t surprised when Emily walked in to see two men
join them.
"How’s
it going?" Elizabeth asked, wiping down the counter.
"Grandfather
threw a fit when he found out I was being gaurded. But he calmed down when I
told him it was a necessary precaution with me being a Q and all. Plus with
Sorel out there and that grudge against Jason still going…Sonny thought it’d be
wise. I didn’t tell him about Tom."
"I
didn’t think you would. I wonder where he is now. What does he have up his
sleeve."
"Well
at least he’s not a photographer anymore. No more models can be
blackmailed."
"Hey
you guys," Gia entered. "It was such a busy day in the modeling
world."
Both girls
rolled their eyes. Both girls are trying to like Gia, but sometimes her
arrogance and slight attitude turned them off.
"Have
you ever heard of a Thomas Cook? He’s a photographer. Laura’s thinking about
hiring him."
"Really?"
Elizabeth asked.
Gia nodded.
"He has this technique of making you feel comfortable in front of the
camera. He talks to you and ask questions. Nothing like Sven. Sven’s a cold
fish next to Thomas. I hope Laura hires him."
"What
was his name again?" Gia asked, wondering if she knew him from her old
modeling days.
"Thomas
Cook."
"Never
heard of him," Emily shrugged.
"I’m
sure he’ll do you justice Gia," Elizabeth forced a smile as Tom reappeared
in her mind, reminding her that he was out and stalking her. "If you
excuse me I have work to do."
"That
Tom man still bothering her?" Gia asked.
"Of
course. You never forget the man that raped you," Emily sighed. "Poor
Liz. I wish there was a way to cheer her up."
"Ben
and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia!" Gia brainstormed. "That’d make any girl’s
day!"
"Gia you may not know this…but there’s more to life than food. We should
do something special for Liz. But what? What would make her forget all about
Tom?"
"A
special night in her studio with a hot guy," Gia arched her eyebrow.
"Gia
she’s married."
"Duh.
Lucky’s a hottie, but don’t let Nikolas know I said that. But he is. I got it!
We’ll go right now and prepare her studio for a night with her husband. You
call Lucky and arrange it! I’ll do the rest of the leg work."
"Gia I
don’t know…Liz is pretty standoffish about people messing with her
studio…"
"Emily
you do want to make Liz happy don’t you?"
"Yes."
"Well
then don’t fight me on this. Go find Lucky and I’ll take care of the
rest."
"This
better work," Emily got up and left the restaurant, her bodyguards leaving
with her.
*
Zander Smith
paced the lobby of L and B waiting for Ned Ashton to appear. He desperately
needed a favor and Ned was the only person that could help him. He needed a
job, a legitimate job. Sorel had been sending threats to Sonny again and Sonny
made it clear that if Zander wanted to keep himself and Emily safe, it was best
to seek employment elsewhere.
"Zander?
What are you doing here?" Lucky entered the building, a folder tucked
under his arm.
"I need
a job. A safe job for Em and myself. Working for Sonny isn’t safe
anymore," Zander explained. Him and Lucky weren’t exactly friends, but
they weren’t enemies either. In fact, they were civil for Em’s sake if nothing
else.
"And
you want to work here?"
"Yeah."
"Well…I
do need help with my workload. How are you with computers?"
"I know my way around them," Zander answered.
"Listen,
let me talk to Ned and see what I can do. Ok? Maybe I get get you on as an
assistant or something."
"Sure. That’s be cool. Listen thanks for doing this for me. It’s important
that I have a job so I can move on with my future with Emily."
"Well, I know how much Emily loves you and she’s a pretty good judge of
character. I’ll talk to Ned," Lucky looks up to see Emily enter.
"Emily hey what’s up?"
"We
need to talk. Elizabeth is depressed and Gia and I have a plan to cheer her
up," Emily grabbed her best friend’s arm then notices her boyfriend.
"Oh hi Zander. What are you doing here?"
"Job
search. I need a more legitimate job. Lucky here’s going to help me out with
Ned."
"Really?!
Oh Zander this is wonderful!" Emily happily hugged him then turned to
Lucky. "And you! Thank you so much!"
"Don’t
mention it Em. Now what’s this about Elizabeth?"
"Oh yeah, she’s depressed and Gia and I came up with this plan to cheer
her up. A romantic night at her studio with the man of her dreams, her husband.
What do you say?"
"It’s a
great idea. When are you doing it?"
"Tonight,
so I suggest you run home dress up and arrive at the studio flowers in hand.
Elizabeth will be waiting. We’ll take care of getting her there."
"Ok,
cool. Just give me a couple of minutes to speak to Ned and then I’ll be on my
way. Wait, how are you going to get Elizabeth there?"
"Let me
worry about that will you? Now go speak to Ned and leave the rest to me,"
Emily placed a aggravated hand on her hip.
"Ok ok.
I’m gone," Lucky laughed, disappearing into Ned’s office.
"What’s
going on with Liz?" Zander asked.
"Long
story. I’ll tell you later. For now, how about walking me back to Kelly’s? I’m
sure Lucky will let you know what Ned says."
Zander
rolled his eyes and smiled. "Ok ok. I could never say no to a pretty
face," He placed a arm around Emily and escorts her out of the building,
neither of them noticed the shadow emerge from a nearby alley and dunk into the
building.
*
Lucky is
standing in front of Ned’s desk pleading with him. "Come on Ned. I need
help! You do want Juan to have a new song to sing don’t you? Now how can I do
that with all the computer stuff I have to do?"
"Can’t
you write in your spare time?" Ned asked.
"Ned
man, come on. That time’s for Elizabeth. You know that."
Ned laughed.
"Ok ok. Fine. Who do you have in mind for this job idea of yours?"
Lucky took a
deep breath, knowing that Zander wasn’t Ned’s favorite person. "Zander
Smith."
"What!!!
Lucky! No. No I’m not hiring that juvenile delinquint! No!"
"Ned
come on, he just needs a break. That’s all, plus it’ll keep Em out of all that
mob mess if he was no longer working for Sonny."
"No!"
"And I
really need the help. Please…I’m begging here and you know us Spencers. It
takes a lot to make us beg."
"Lucky…"
"Please…"
"Ok!
Alright! But he’s your responsibility. You make sure he doesn’t screw up."
"Thanks
Ned. When do I tell him and Em that he has the job?"
"Tell
him to report first thing Monday. He has the same hours you do," Ned went
back to sorting through the papers on his desk.
"Thanks
again Ned," Lucky once more replied through leaving for his house, unaware
that he was being followed.
*
"You
guys why did you drag me here! Lucky’s going to be home any minute and he
expects me to be there!" Elizabeth sighed as Gia and Emily led her to the
studio, blindfolded.
"We
need to show you something," Emily answered. "Something
important."
Gia opened
the door to reveal a room full of flowers and lit candles. A table set for two
was in the center of the room, ribs from Eli’s and cheesefries were steaming
hot on the plates. A mattress was in the far corner, dressed in red linens. A
beautiful white dress with spagetti straps and a slit down the leg was laying
across it.
"Surprise!"
both Gia and Emily exclaim as they take off the blindfold and push Elizabeth
into the studio.
"Oh
wow! You guys when did you do this? Why?" She turned to her friends.
"This
afternoon and I had to really bust my butt to get it ready in time," Gia
answered.
"Lucky
will be here in another twenty minutes, so we suggest you dunk into your ladies
room over there and get ready. You don’t want to disappoint him."
Elizabeth
pushed back her tears. "I don’t know what to say."
"Say thank you and get in there and get ready for your man. Go!" Gia
pointed to the restroom.
"You
did great Gia," Emily complimented as Liz took the dress and disappeared
into the restroom.
"Well
from what Nikolas had told me, those two deserve some romance. Especially if
this Baker guy is connected to Psychogrannie."
"Do you
think?" Emily turned to her friend.
"I
don’t know. You know more about this Spencer-Cassadine war than I do. Could
Baker be working for Helena?"
"I
don’t know," Emily shrugged. "I don’t know at all."
"I’m
here, is she ready?" Lucky enters the studio, white roses in hand.
"You’re
early! You still have fifteen minutes," Gia hissed.
"Sorry,"
Lucky shrugged. "Where’s Elizabeth?"
"In the
restroom changing. I better go and reassure her that she looks perfect. Or
she’ll never come out knowing you’re here," Emily disappeared into the
restroom.
"This
is a good thing you’re doing for Elizabeth Gia. I know you two don’t actually
get along all that well," Lucky turned to his brother’s girlfriend.
"We get
along better than we did before," Gia shrugged. "Besides, with all
that’s going on she deserves some cheering up. You look great by the way."
Lucky
blushed. "Thanks."
"She’s
almost ready," Emily came back out.
"Hey
ribs!" Lucky spots the food and heads over to the table.
"Ah ah
ah!" Emily runs over and slaps his hand. "Those aren’t until we leave
and Elizabeth’s here."
"I’m
ready," Elizabeth emerged from the restroom. Lucky, Gia, and Emily were
struck speechless. Liz was stunning in the white dress Gia had gotten for her.
"Wow
Liz…you look…"
"Stunning,"
Lucky finished, walking over to her. His gaze never leaving her he held out the
flowers.
"For
me? Thank you," Elizabeth smiled, smelling the roses.
"Well
we’ll leave you two alone now. Come on Emily," Gia pulled the younger girl
out of the building.
"Wow,"
Lucky again replied.
"You look
great," Elizabeth looked at him. "You know, this reminds me of the
night we went to the no-name."
"I
remember that. It was great," Lucky grinned. "That was the night I
became fully aware that I was falling in love with you."
"I had
already fallen by then," Elizabeth smiled. "Come on. Let’s eat. I’m
starved."
"Eli’s?"
Lucky asked.
"Hmmm.
Gia went all out. We have to do something nice for her and Nikolas
someday."
"Definitely,"
Lucky pulled a chair for Elizabeth before setting down himself.
"So how
was your day?"
"I got
Zander a job. He’s going to be my assistant."
"Em
must be thrilled."
"She
is. Or she’s going to be. I forgot to tell her that Zander got the job. When I
saw you, it totally slipped my mind. You really are stunning."
"Lucky
you’re always complimenting me," Elizabeth blushed for the millionth time.
"That’s
because you deserve it. There’s no one on this earth that can compare with you
Elizabeth. You should know that by now."
"Come
on. Let’s stop talking and start eating."
A half hour
later, Lucky and Elizabeth were stretched out on the bed side by side, totally
full.
"I
haven’t eaten like that in months," Elizabeth patted her flat stomach.
"Me
either. So what shall we do now?"
"I got
it…music," Elizabeth hopped up and ran over to her cd player. She turned
on the radio to her favorite song.
I could stay awake just to hear you breathing
Watch you smile while you are sleeping
While you're far away and dreaming
"There.
That’s better," She smiled.
"You’re
such a romantic," Lucky laughed as she climbed back up on the bed.
"Wait a minute…Let’s dance." He got up and pulled her back up on her
feet. Slowly they began to sway tot he music. "This is better."
I could spend my life in this sweet surrender
I could stay lost in this moment...forever
Every moment spent with you
Is a moment I treasure
"Elizabeth…I
know that we haven’t spent much time together lately and I want to apologize
for that. I promise now that I have Zander helping me, there’ll be more time
for you and me."
"Oh
Lucky, you don’t have to be sorry. I understand. Besides, it’s not like you’re
the only one that has to work. I’ve been immersing myself in work lately. Maybe
if I cut down on my time at Kelly’s…we’ll have more time."
"I love
you Elizabeth Spencer," Lucky pulled her closer.
Don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
Elizabeth
ran a hand through his blond hair and stared into his beautiful blue eyes,
wondering how on earth did she get so fortunate. Lucky was everything to her.
Her knight in shining armor, her prince, her protector. "Make love to me
Lucky. I need you to."
Lucky just
smiled and leaned down to kiss her. Soon they’re on the bed in a passionate
embrace.
Lying close to you
Feeling your heart beating
And I'm wondering what you're dreaming
Wondering if it's me you're seeing
Then I kiss your eyes and thank God we're together
I just wanna stay with you
In this moment forever, forever and ever
I don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
I don't wanna miss one smile
I don't wanna miss one kiss
I just wanna be with you
Right here with you, just like this
I just wanna hold you close
I feel your heart so close to mine
And just stay here in this moment
For all the rest of time
Yeah (yeah)
Yeah (yeah)
Yeah...
As Lucky and Liz continue their lovemaking, neither notice the figure
peering through the window grinning madly. He remembered when it was him in the
young man’s position, except it was much more passionate for him. He swore then
and there he was going to have the girl again and others too. Nothing was going
to stop him. Making that vow, he continued to watch the couple until the wee
hours of the morning.
Don't wanna close my eyes
Don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
I don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
Don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep...yeah
And I don't wanna miss a thing
I Don’t
Wanna Miss A Thing- Aerosmith