4

Early the next morning, Luke is again on the docks, glaring into the distance at Helena’s yacht. Nikolas came up and stood beside him.

"Is that my grandmother’s yacht?" He looked at the older man.

"Sure is Prince. Do you know what she has up her sleeve this time?"

Nikolas shook his head. "Whatever it is it can’t be good. Does Lucky know she’s back?"
"No. Maybe you should warn him. Tell him to watch his back. I do not want a repeat of the fire."

"Me neither. Luke…I feel it necessary to apologize for my family. They have done nothing but wreck havoc on you and Lucky. I’m so so sorry."

"Hey…it wasn’t your fault. I’ve stopped blaming you a long time ago…you should do the same. Besides, if it wasn’t for you, we may never had gotten Lucky back."

"Yeah, but still…"

"Nikolas drop it. What happened to Lucky wasn’t your fault. What happened to my whole family isn’t your fault. It all lands on your grandmother’s doorstep. Now go find Gia, or Lucky and take your mind away from this whole mess."

"I’ll do that. See ya around Luke," Nikolas turned around to leave Luke alone.

"Luke?" Laura spotted her ex-husband a couple of minutes after Nikolas’s departure. "What are you looking at?"
"Helena’s back in town," Luke nodded towards the yacht.

"Good heavens. What can she want after all this time?"

"Trouble. That’s what. I’m surprised she hadn’t paid a visit to Steffy yet. Has she?"

"No! Listen…Luke I know things between us have been tense, but with Helena back in town…I think we all should call a truce. She can only get to us if we’re divided like we are now."

"Meaning you want to come back to me angel?"

"No. Meaning that no more fighting between you and Stefan. I want you two to be friends. For the family’s sake if nothing else."

"Laura! You’re asking for too much."

"No I’m not. At least be civil. Luke please, Lucky’s safety depends on this."

"Ok! Fine. I’ll make peace with Vlad. Happy?"

Laura only smiled. "Come on. Let’s go to the club and grab a drink. It’s not good standing here looking at that yacht."
"After you," Luke stood aside and followed Laura back to town.

*

Lucky was at Kelly’s waiting for Elizabeth to get off when Nikolas arrived.

"Hey bro!" Nikolas arrived.

"Hey there. What’s going on?"

"Nothing much. But…Helena’s back in town. I thought I should warn you…just in case."
"Thanks man," Lucky’s smiled disappeared. "Well this is something ain’t it? Now not only do we have Tom Baker to deal with, we have Helena as well."

Nikolas layed a hand on Lucky’s shoulder. "Hey, I won’t let her get to you."

"Newsflash Nikolas, you can’t stop her. If Helena has plans for me, she’s going to follow through with them regardless," Lucky sighed then laughed. "Hey, you know what? We’re being paranoid here. Helena may not have any plans for me. There may be a whole different reason why she’s here."

Nikolas smiled. "You’re right. This Tom Baker deal is going to our heads. But still, until Helena leaves, watch your back. I don’t want to lose my brother again."

"Hey you won’t. I’m going to be just fine and so is Elizabeth," Lucky hugged his brother. "By the way, tell Gia thanks for last night. It was the perfect thing to take Elizabeth’s mind off tom."

"Sure thing. I better get going, Gia wants me to pick her up."

"Later," Lucky waved as Nikolas left.

"Was that Nikolas?" Elizabeth came out of the kitchen carrying a fresh pot of coffee.

"Yeah. He just came by to give me some info," Lucky turned around to face his wife. He didn’t want to tell her about Helena being back in town because he didn’t want to worry her.

"What information was that?"

"Nothing important," Lucky shrugged. "It’s L and B stuff."

"Oh. Anything you can share with…" Elizabeth leaves off as she sees a dreaded face walk into the door. Seeing how Elizabeth had turned pale, Lucky turned around to see Tom Baker enter.

"Hey dollface. Long time no see," Tom smiled menaceingly. "Looking good. I like you with short hair."

"You’re not welcomed here," Lucky stood from the barstool. "So I suggest you leave."
"Looking different kid. More heftier from the last time I saw you. You been working out?" Tom addressed Lucky.

"I said leave," Lucky repeated.

"You don’t scare me anymore Tom," Elizabeth glared at her rapist. "That bothers you doesn’t it? That I moved on, you have no power over me anymore."

Tom laughed and leaned over the counter. "Little girl, I have more power than you’ll ever know. Maybe not over you, but there’s other girls I can control. Just wait and see. I’m free and I can do anything I want without getting caught. That’s already been proven. Just ask your father in law. He should know."

"You son of a bitch!" Lucky grabbed Tom by the neck of his Jacket and did what looked like a couple of moves from Liz’s Tae-bo classes Finally he sent Tom out the door. Liz just stood there speechless. She had no idea Lucky could fight like that.

"Lucky?"

"Are you okay?" Lucky came back to the counter and took her hands.

"Where did you learn to fight like that?"
Lucky shrugged. "Anna taught me when Faison had us last. She said I may need it to defend myself someday."

"Well I’m glad she taught you," Elizabeth sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Are you ok?"
"Elizabeth you were his victim. Not me."

"But he mentioned your father…"

"What happened between my parents all those years ago is old news. It doesn’t bother me anymore. Believe me sweetie, I’m fine. But how about you? Are you ok?"

"I’m fine."

"What was all that racket out here?" Anna came out of the kitchen. Since Tammy had quit some time ago, Anna had took her place.

"Some guy was giving Liz a hard time so I took care of him," Lucky shrugged.

"Lucky was great Anna. You should have been out here…I had no idea you taught him martial arts," Elizabeth smiled with pride.

"Lucky I thought you would have forgotten all of that by now," Anna looked at the young man in surprise.

"I kept up with it. It kept me in shape and gave me self-esteem. Plus I thought it’d come in handy someday and it did."

"Well I’m glad that time in captivity together was fruitful in that aspect."

Just then Robert came in with Chance.

"Lucky!" The toddler giggled, running to the one person besides his parents that he looked up to.

"Hey there buddy," Lucky picked Chance up and whirled him around. For the millionth time, Elizabeth was reminded of how good Lucky was with children.

"He couldn’t wait to see Uncle Lucky," Robert laughed.

"I’m two today," Chance smiled.

"Really?" Lucky grinned. "Guess what Auntie Lizzie and I have a present for you."

"Really?"

"Elizabeth go in the kitchen and get Chance’s gift," Lucky turned to his wife. "Now Chance this gift is very special. You’re going to have to take good care of it. Your parents will help."

Chance nodded seriously. "Ok. I promise."
Lucky laughed and hugged the little boy with affection.

"Here it is," Elizabeth came out with a golden retriver puppy in her arms, the animal happily lapped at her face. "He sure is affectionate."

"Wow! Puppy!" Chance clapped happily. He had desparately wanted a puppy. At first Anna and Robert were reluctant to let him have one, but changed their mind a couple of weeks ago when Taggert’s dog had puppies.

"What are you going to name him Chance?" Elizabeth asked.

"Lucky!" The little boy clapped his hand. Everyone except Lucky laughed.

"That is a very good name," Elizabeth giggled. "Lucky seems to suit him."

"But maybe another name would be better," Lucky cleared his throat.

"Nonsense. Lucky’s a perfect name," Anna playfully slapped Lucky’s shoulder. "Besides, the name belongs to someone Chance loves dearly and looks up to."

"…Well in that case, the dog can keep the name," Lucky smiled at the little boy, hoping that someday him and Elizabeth will have children twice as cute as Chance.

"Em!" Elizabeth waved as her friend and Zander enter the restaurant.

"Hey. Hey there Chance," Emily ruffled the child’s hair. "Who’s puppy?"
"Mine!" The child happily exclaimed.

"Oh really? What did you name him?" Emily asked.

"Lucky!"
Emily looked at her friend and smiled. "I bet you’re thrilled."

"Ecstatic," Lucky flatly replied.

Both Emily and Zander laughed. Zander clapped Lucky on the back, "Hey don’t sweat it. I have a little sister and she named her hampster Zander."

"Oh how cute," Emily kissed his cheek.

"Oh yeah, I forgot. Zander, report to my office at nine o’clock sharp," Lucky grinned.

Zander’s eyes widened. "Does that mean…"

"You’ve got the job. I had to grovel, but since you’re Em’s boyfriend, that’s ok," Lucky smiled.

"Whoohoo!!! Yeah!" Zander cheered, picking Emily up and whirling her about.

"Thanks Lucky. You’re the best friend that I’ve ever had…next to Elizabeth and Zander of course," Emily giggled as Zander put her back down.

"Chance why don’t we take the puppy into the kitchen. That way he won’t disturb the customers," Anna took her son away from Lucky.

"Ok," The child nodded.

"Here you go Zander. You can help. I have to get back to work," Elizabeth handed the puppy to her friend’s boyfriend.

"Sure," Zander followed Annah.

"Lucky I really mean it," Emily took his hands. "You are fantastic."

"Oh my God…I can’t believe she’s back," Elizabeth’s face turned chalk white. Emily and Lucky turned to see Helena Cassadine enter, looking around the restaurant.

"I can’t believe she has the nerve to come in here," Emily frowned.

Helena turned to her manservant. "I am in the mood for chili. What do you think Andreas?"
"That sounds fabulous madam," the manservant nodded.

Robert immediately got to his feet and stood in front of her. "You’re not welcomed here. I suggest you turn around and crawl back under the rock you slithered out from."

"Oh Robert Scorpio…such a way with words," Helena patted his cheek, her voice was dripping with venom. "But this is a public establishment I assume and I can come in whenever I please. Now if you don’t mind, I’ll have the chili."

Robert looked as if he was going to grab Helena by the throat and throw her out, but seeing that there were other customers around he glared at Helena and went back to the counter. "She wants Chili."

"No way!" Elizabeth crossed her arms. "There’s no way I’m putting in the order for the woman who put us through hell for two whole years!"

"I’m waiting!" Helena cleared her throat.

"I’ll go. Stay here with Lucky," Robert dashed into the kitchen.

"Isn’t it bad enough that Tom’s back? Now we have to deal with Helena too?" Elizabeth sighed tiredly, her shoulders lump in what looks to be defeat.

"She can’t harm us if we don’t let her," Lucky squeezed Elizabeth’s hand.

The trio are so engrossed in their conversation that they don’t see Helena get up and approach them.

"Why Lucky you have grown to be almost as tall as your father," Helena stands behind the young man and places a talon like hand on his shoulder.

Lucky turned around and glared at his former captor. "Leave me alone Helena. Leave all of us alone."

Helena just laughed and flirtatiously touched Lucky’s face. "Ah Lucky…so much like your father, but so much more handsome. You know I am getting tired of Andreas. Why don’t you and I…"

Before Helena could finish Luke entered and angrily dashed up and grabbed Helena by the back of her neck and pulled her away from Lucky.

"Touch my son like that again witch and you will be eating worms for dinner!" Luke growled.

"Now now Luke. I didn’t know you were the jealous type," Helena smiled up at Luke, knowing just what to say to infuriate him more. "It’s not Lucky’s fault that he has more stamina than you. After all he is much more younger…and from looking at him more endowed…"

With a angry growl, Luke dragged Helena to the door and threw her out. "And don’t come back!" He strolled back over to Lucky. "Are you ok?"

"I’m fine," Lucky nodded, a little shaken by the encounter. "Nikolas warned me she was back."

"What and you didn’t tell me?" Elizabeth looked at her husband.

"I thought you had enough to worry about with Tom being free. You didn’t need to worry about Helena as well."

"Lucky!" Elizabeth placed her hands on her hips. "I deserved to know that the witch was back in town!"

"Well you know now. What difference does it make?"

"Woah, cowboy. Where’s Anna and Robert?" Luke asked.

"Here’s your chili! Now eat it and get out!" Robert came out carrying a bowl of chili and stopped when he saw Luke. "Uh oh."

"Uh oh is right friend," Luke glared at Robert.

"Dad don’t get mad at Robert…"

"Don’t get mad at Robert? My best friend is supposed to be here keeping a eye on my diner, and my family, but what do I find when I come into my diner? Helena Cassadine manhandling my son and my best friend in the kitchen making her chili!"

"I’ll go in the back and check on Chance and the puppy," Elizabeth started for the kitchen.

"Wait, I’ll come with. I want to see what’s taking Zander so long," Emily followed.

"Luke I tried to throw her out but she pointed out the public establishment thing. I couldn’t deny her service," Robert explained.

"And that explains leaving her alone with Lucky?"

"Lucky wasn’t alone," Robert sighed. "Elizabeth and Emily were here with him."

"Elizabeth has enough on her plate right now Robert and Emily…Emily’s just a sweet girl who doesn’t know anything about handling the Cassadines! What if Helena tried to take Lucky again? Huh? Then what?"

"Dad come on…that was a totally different situation back then," Lucky said. "She took me off guard, plus there was no witnesses."

"Exactly," Robert nodded.

"Don’t let this happen again Robert. I want my son safe from that hellcat. Not a setting duck."

"I understand Luke, and trust me, this won’t happen ever again."

"Good. Now Lucky…your mother wants to see you. She’s at your house waiting now. I suggest you accept my offer to drive you home."

"Dad I have my motorcycle just outside. I’ll be fine on my own," Lucky shook his head.

"Lucky…"

"Dad I’m driving myself home. No arguments about it. Tell Elizabeth where I went and that Sonny’s men are here in case she needs them. Later dad," Lucky left both men staring after him.

"He’s come a long way from when I first met him," Robert sighed. "He doesn’t jump at his own shadow anymore."

"Maybe he should," Luke pursed his lips. "Maybe he should."

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