· · CHAPTER
FOUR
Nikolas
found Gia just outside her brother’s room, watching his still form. Worry
creased her brow as a single tear flowed from her eyes.
"Gia,"
Nikolas called to her as he stepped out of the elevator.
"Oh
Nikolas!" Gia bursted into tears, running into her lover’s arms.
"What if he dies?"
"He
won’t. Taggert is strong. He’ll pull through this," Nikolas soothed.
"It’s
just that our family has been through enough as it is. Momma’s heart attack…and
now this. That old witch is going to pay for this. I swear," Gia angrily
glowered.
"I
know. And she will. I promise you Helena will not get away with hurting Taggert
and Audrey."
"How
is Elizabeth’s grandmother by the way?" Gia wiped away her tears and pulls
away from Nikolas.
"The
medics think it was a stroke. But we know better," Nikolas sighed.
"They’re down there running some tests now."
"I
bet Lucky is beating himself up pretty good over this," Gia sighed.
"Well…actually
I think he’s too busy taking care of Elizabeth to worry too much about himself.
There was a shoot-out after you left and Tammy was killed."
"What?!
What is Helena trying to do?!"
"It
wasn’t Helena this time. Drive-bys aren’t her style. It was Sorel."
"That
guy after Zander?"
Nikolas
nodded. "Zander saw the car pull up and ordered everyone to get down. Gia
it was awful…that noise…I haven’t heard that much noise since the time I got
shot. Well a bullet hit Tammy and killed her instantly. Elizabeth is an
emotional basketcase. She won’t let go of Lucky for nothing."
"Who can blame her? First her grandmother and now her boss. It makes you
wonder who’s next."
"Gia…why
don’t you go down and check on your friend," Florence overheard the
conversation about Elizabeth. "I’m sure your support would be most
appreciated."
"But
what about Marcus?" Gia asked.
"I’ll
let you know if there’s any change," Florence nodded. "Now go. I’ll
be alright here."
"Ok. I’ll be back up shortly. If Marcus wakes up, tell him that I love
him."
Florence nodded, watching her daughter and Nikolas disappear into the elevator.
*
They
found their friends in the waiting room on the second floor. Zander and Emily
sat in a love seat, cuddled together while, Elizabeth layed on the couch sound
asleep, her head in Lucky’s lap. He just gazed at her, gently stroking her
hair.
"It’s
been a long day for her," Nikolas sighed, entering the room with Gia in
tow.
"It’s
been a long day for us all," Lucky sighed looking up at his brother.
"How’s Taggert?"
"No
word yet," Gia shook her head. "I decided to come down here with you
guys to lend some moral support…and the company."
"So I guess you’ve heard about what happened at Kelly’s,"
Lucky replied.
"Yeah."
"Soon
they’ll have to change the name to Luke’s," Nikolas attempts a joke just
to get a stern glare from Lucky.
"That
wasn’t funny man."
"Sorry,"
Nikolas uncomfortably cleared his throat. "So I guess Gia and I will take
this chair," Nikolas sat down and pulled Gia down onto his lap. Gia sighed
contently and lays her head on his shoulder.
"I’ve
never been so comfortable," She smiled flirtatiously at her boyfriend.
"Gia,
this is a hospital, not a hotel," Emily irritably rolled her eyes.
"Emily
not now. They have enough to worry about," Zander squeezed her hand.
"Let’s get along, alright."
"So…what are we gonna do about Helena?" Nikolas looked at his
brother. "She won’t stop until she’s destroyed all of our lives."
"I
don’t know," Lucky sighed. "Kill her I guess…but I’ve had enough of
dead bodies."
Ten minutes pass, full of silence and quiet whispers as the couples speak among
themselves. It’s Emily who breaks the silence.
"You
guys…Zander and I have been talking and we’ve came to a decision. Since Sorel is
so dangerous and is targeting both Zander and I, we’ve decided to leave Port
Charles."
"What!"
Lucky, Gia, and Nikolas exclaimed in shock.
"What
do you mean leave Port Charles?" Nikolas asked.
"Exactly
what it sounds like. It’s dangerous here. Sorel can reach us anywhere,"
Zander began.
"He
can reach you whereever you two are going anyway Zander," Lucky points
out.
"Yeah,
but at least out there we have a fighting chance. We can go where no one will
know us."
Lucky rolled his eyes. "Sorel’s men will recognize you without even
trying. The minute they hear your names they’ll be on you so fast…I mean…do you
plan to use your real names?"
"Of
course," Zander glares at Lucky.
"And
what about your appearance?"
"Why
would we need to change our appearance?"
"Fake id’s?"
"Listen, we don’t need any of that stuff," Zander tightens his hold
on Emily’s hand trying to keep a hold of his temper.
"Well
then you might as well turn yourselves over to Sorel now because you won’t
stand a chance out there on the run."
"And
what makes you such an expert on this Lucky? Huh?" Zander gets angry.
Emily
placed a restraining hand on Zander’s arm. "Lucky grew up on the run
Zander. His parents were targets. Hiding from the mob was a way of life for
him."
"Oh," Zander simmered down. "Sorry. I didn’t know."
"That’s alright," Lucky shrugged.
"Well…what
do I need?"
"New
identities, new names, a new look…everything. You’ll have to leave everyone you
know and love behind and never attempt to contact them. Plus you keep your
distance from other people. No making friends, and when asked questions about
your past, answer vaguely. Plus never get comfortable in one place and be
prepared to move quickly. Just in case you have to get away in the middle of
the night."
Zander
nods. Lucky was right. Without the advice just given, he wouldn’t have lasted a
week. "Thanks man."
"Anytime.
But Emily…is this what you truly want to do? You’ll be leaving all of us
behind…you won’t be able to call or write…we may never see you again,"
Lucky looked at his best friend, remembering all they’ve been through together.
"It’ll be nothing like when we ran away together."
"I
know that Lucky and I’ve thought of all of that. But I love Zander and want to
be with him. Even though I’ll be leaving all of you guys behind…I can’t let him
go. Please try to understand…if this was Elizabeth, you’d be ready to do the
same thing."
Lucky
nodded. "You’re right I would. And I do understand. It’s just that…I’m
going to miss you Em."
"And I’m going to miss you too. I’m going to miss all of you," Emily
wipes away a tear.
"So
when are you two leaving?" Nikolas asked curiously.
"As
soon as I can get some fake id’s made," Nikolas shrugged.
"I
can get my dad to make some for you. He still has that kit we used. Plus he can
give you more pointers than I can," Lucky offered.
"That’s
cool of you Lucky. Thank you."
"Just
take care of Emily. Don’t get her killed."
"I won’t. I promise."
"So
how are you going to say good-bye to your family?" Gia asked.
"I’ll
have dinner with them before I leave. It’s going to be so hard not actually
saying good-bye, but saying it all the same."
"I
love you too Gram. I’ll be ok," Elizabeth sighed in her dream.
"Looks
like she’s having a pleasant dream," Nikolas laughed.
"I
wish I can make everything else pleasant for her as well," Lucky sighed.
"Nikolas this isn’t fair. The stupid feud has nothing to do with her yet
she’s the one getting hurt the most."
"I
know Lucky. It’s not fair," Nikolas agreed. "But all you can do is be
here for her. Listen to her…love her."
"Lucky?"
Elizabeth’s eyes opened and she stiffled a yawn. "I had a wonderful dream.
Gram was healthy and young again and we were walking in this beautiful garden
and up ahead Gramps was waiting for us. They told me that they loved me and
would always be with me."
"That’s
a wonderful dream sweetie," Lucky smiled as she sat up.
"I’m
sorry I fell asleep in your lap. I know you must be tired of setting
there."
"I
didn’t mind. Whenever you want to borrow my lap, feel free," Lucky
laughed.
"Miss.
Webber?" A doctor entered the waiting room, looking around for Elizabeth.
"I’m
she. Is there word on Gram?" Elizabeth get to her feet. Lucky stood behind
her, placing two secure hands on her shoulders to lend her strength.
"I’m
sorry Miss. Webber, but we lost your grandmother. We tried our best to save
her, but it was no use."
"What
was the cause?" Lucky asked.
"Well…we
did some tests and we found this chemical in her bloodstream that is normally
used in biological warfare. We don’t know how it got there or when. I’m truly
sorry Miss. Webber. Audrey was a respected nurse here at GH and she’ll be
greatly missed," The doctor somberly bows his head and exits the room.
"No…no
this can’t be happening…not Gram…Lucky…I’m all alone. She was the only family
in Port Charles I had and now I’m all alone."
Lucky
pulled Elizabeth into a strong,warm, and loving embrace. "You’re not alone
Elizabeth…you have me…and Nikolas, Emily, and even Gia and Zander. We’re all
here for you. We won’t leave you."
"Momma,"
Gia immediately gets to her feet as Florence enters the waiting room, her eyes
shine with unshed tears, her hands tremble with suppressed rage. "Momma?
What’s wrong?"
"My
baby…he’s gone Gia. Marcus is gone. He went into a siezure and soon afterwards
his heart stopped. They couldn’t get it back started. The doctors were confused
at first, but they ran some tests. They found traces of some kind of chemical
used in biological warfare. The bullets must have been tainted with it…"
"No…No
not Marcus," Gia covers her mouth. "Not Marcus!"
"Taggert’s
dead?" Lucky asked, stunned. He didn’t always get along with Marcus
Taggert, but he was a good man. He was helpful and comforting to Elizabeth when
she was raped, he sang and danced along with Lucky and Elizabeth in the nurses
ball, he made sure that Elizabeth’s rapist was put behind bars, and he
encouraged the growing friendship between Lucky and Nikolas, reminding them
that they were brothers and not to let the murder charge on Luke get in the way
of that. And now the man was dead…thanks to Helena.
"No!!!"
Elizabeth screamed in terror and grief. "Not Taggert too!!! No!!!"
She collapsed into Lucky’s arms and sobbed uncontrollably.
"Taggert
helped her a lot a couple of years back," Lucky explained.
"He
helped a lot of people I hear," Florence bowed her head, wiping away
tears. "The doctor is going to let us in to see him for the last time Gia.
I suggest you come now."
"You
want me to come with you?" Nikolas asked.
"Please?
I don’t think I can do this without you," Gia sniffed, wiping away her
tears.
"We’ll
be back," Nikolas nodded at Lucky and the others and followed Gia and her
mother into the elevator.
"This
is so unfair," Emily crossed her arms.
"I
better go in and say good-bye to Gram. Lucky…will you come with me?"
Elizabeth tightly held his hand.
"Sure.
We’ll be back," Lucky nodded at Emily and Zander and disappeared through
the waiting room door.
Emily
turned to Zander. "I don’t think it’s a good idea to leave just yet."
"That’s okay. We still have to meet with Lucky’s dad and get some fake id’s.
We’ll have time," Zander nodded, understanding her concern for her
friends.
*
"Well
Andri?" Helena paced the docks as her manservant came to report on the
situation in the hospital.
"Both
Mrs. Hardy and Lieutenant Taggert are dead," Andri reported with a nod of
his head.
"And
the girls? Are they still with my grandson and his brother?"
"Yes
madame."
"Arghhh!
What will get them to out of the way?!," Helena crossed her arms.
"Well Andri…I’m getting desperate and desperate times calls for desperate
measures. I need those girls out of the boy’s lives and out of their lives now
if my plans are to succeed. Especially that Campbell girl. I have no choice
Andri...Miss. Webber and Miss. Campbell are going to have to die."
"Madame?"
"A
good old fashioned hit and run will do the trick. Don’t worry Andri, I won’t be
as sloppy as I was with Alexis and that Chloe Morgan. I will succeed this time.
Those girls should have listened to my first warning. Now they are going to pay
with not only the lives of their family, but their own lives as well."