THIRTY-EIGHT

Three months later…

Anna peered out the window, watching Faison’s car disappear into the distance. He was going away for two weeks on a business trip, leaving her and Lucky alone with the guards. This was the perfect time to take Lucky and escape. Make her way back to Port Charles and give Lucky back to the people who loved him the most. There was no better time then now. Looking at a picture up on the mantle of her and Lucky and Faison she thought about the past nine months. In that time, Lucky had become the son she never had but always wanted. She loved him like her own and it was going to be hard giving him up. But It was the right thing to do, for both of them. And once Faison was taken care of, Anna will get in touch with her own daughter and perhaps her and Robert can work on having another child, perferrably a boy.

Sighing sadly she heads upstairs and makes her plans for the great escape. The first thing that needed to be done was to get rid of the guards. They would never let her and Lucky just walk out of here without alerting Faison. But how? What can she do? If only she had the chemical lab at the WSB at her disposal. She could make a poison to knock them out. That’s it! That was what she needed to do. If she remembered correctly, a adequate poison can be made from just a few common household items. Now to find those items that would make the perfect poison.

*

Annah peeked into the private dining room for the guards. It was time for their dinner and their demise. Annah had concocted a poison that was odorless and hopefully tasteless. It at least worked on a hamster that Faison had brought Lucky when he had complained about being lonely. Carefully she had snuck into the kitchen and slipped the poison into the guard’s soup. She hated killing the men, but she had no choice. Her and Lucky’s Freedom was too important. She sighed with relief as she watched the men hungrily devour the soup. Ten minutes later they clutch their stomachs in pain and fall to the ground dead.

Quickly climbing the stairs, she went to Lucky’s room who’s setting on the bed reading a textbook.

"Lucky!" Annah quickly enters.

"Mother what is it?" Lucky looks up concerned by his mother’s hurried tone. "What’s wrong?"

"Come on. We must hurry. The next train to New York leaves in one hour. We must leave right now. Leave everything."

"What? What are you talking about? What train? Does father know? Is he meeting us somewhere?"

Anna sighed. She had a lot of explaining to do. Hopefully it won’t take much for lucky to remember who he was and where he was. "Lucky…we’re not meeting Faison anywhere. We’re escaping this place now while we can."

"Wait, mom I don’t understand."

"Lucky…you do want to leave here don’t you? Find that dream girl you were talking about a few months ago?"

Lucky nodded, surprised that she remembered their conversation.

"Well then now is the time to leave. While Faison is away, otherwise you’ll never get out of here and never find this girl you’re so intent on finding. This is your only opportunity Lucky. Take it or leave it."

Lucky sighed. What she was offering was too good to be true. Lucky knew what she was saying was true and it felt right too. If he was going to escape? Leave. He had to do so now. "Ok. I’m in. Do we leave a note telling father where we’re going?"

"No! I mean no. There’s no need for that."

"How about the bodyguards?"
"Taken care of. Now come on let’s go."

"I need to pack," Lucky went for his suitcase, but Anna grabbed his arm.

"No Lucky. We take only what’s on our backs. That’s it. Now come on. Let’s get out of here," Anna pulled him towards the door, determined not to look back.

*

Five hours later…

Anna stares out at the passing scenery, as Lucky sleeps peacefully against the window. So far the programming has stayed in place. Lucky still believed her to be his mother and Faison his father. She wondered when she should shatter this faulty view? Now while they’re on the bus or later, once they’ve reached Port Charles? Both options had their pros and cons. If she waited until they got to Port Charles, she’ll still have the joy of being his "mother". But once they’ve reached Port Charles it’d be heartwrenching to tell him the truth and watch him reconnect with his true family. But if she told him now, that luxery will disappear. Yet he’ll be more prepared for the reunion with his real family.

"Hmmm dreams of gold mom," Lucky sighed, moving his head to her shoulder.

Anna smiled sadly. That must be one of Laura’s sayings. Dreams of gold. She’ll tell Lucky now so he’ll be better prepared. Maybe even break through the programming. But for right now…while he was asleep and blissfully unaware of the truth, she’ll remain his mother for just a little while longer.

"Dreams of Gold Lucky," Anna tenderly kissed his forehead.

*

One hour later…

Anna sighed as Lucky began to stir. She swallowed. This was it. The moment of truth. The moment Lucky went back to being a Spencer and her just a friend of the family. It was time for her to step back and take a secondary role in Lucky's life.

"Oh mom I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep on you," Lucky apologized.

"Oh don’t worry about it. I was glad to lend my shoulder. So…are you looking forward to this grand adventure of ours?" Anna tried to lighten the atmosphere.

Lucky shrugged. "Where is it exactly that we’re going and why isn’t father joining us? In fact, I’m surprised you’re going against him like this."

Anna took a deep breath. The time to tell Lucky the truth was now. "Lucky…uh…there’s something you have to know about your father…and about me. Lucky…Cesar Faison is not your father. Never was and never has been."

"What? Mother are you ok? Did you bump your head or something?"

"I’m fine honey. It’s just time you’re confronted with the truth. Before we reach Port Charles."

"The truth? And what’s in Port Charles that’s so important? Why aren’t we going to somewhere bigger like New York City or L.A.?"

"Because…Port Charles is where your real family is located Lucky."

Lucky looked at her like she’s lost her mind. "Mother…you and Faison are my family. You always have been."

"No Lucky…no. You see…Cesar Faison is a madman and I’m just a friend of the family. Let me explain. You see…I’m not really married to Cesar Faison. My real husband’s name is Robert Scorpio. He’s the best friend of your real father Luke Spencer. Your mother’s name is Laura. You have a little sister named Lesley Lu, you call her Lulu and a older half-brother named Nikolas. You have a girlfriend named Elizabeth…she may be the girl you’ve been dreaming about. Well actually she’s your fiancee. You’re crazy about her.

"Cesar was hired by Helena Cassadine, a enemy of your father’s to kidnap you. He did so and for a whole year everyone thought you dead. But then Luke rescued you. Shortly after your rescue, both you and Elizabeth were kidnapped again by Faison. Elizabeth was rescued, but Faison took you with him as he fled the ship he held you on. A couple of months later you resurfaced, programmed to kill my husband. Your father unarmed you and when we got through to you that Faison lied about Robert, it became necessary for Robert and I to take you and go back into hiding. Elizabeth came along because she couldn’t bare to be separated from you again. After months of hiding, Faison came back and kidnapped both you and me. He gave me an ultimatum. Either become his bride and your mother or he’d hurt you in a way no one should ever be hurt. I couldn’t let it happen so I agreed. So Faison took you away and had you brainwashed to forget your family and believe that we were your parents. Those bodyguards…they weren’t bodyguards. They were guards. When Faison left this time, I knew this was a perfect opportunity to escape and return you to the ones that love you."
For a second Lucky just looked at Anna in shock. Not sure whether to believe her or not. Then he laughed. "Good going mom. You almost had me going there. Father not my father! Brainwashing? What a laugh."

"Lucky…this is not a joke," Anna grabbed his arm and intensly stared into his eyes. "This is real. You’re brainwashed to believe you’re my son. No matter how hard I want it to be true, it’s not. I’m not your mother. Laura is. Deep down…in your heart…somewhere the programming couldn’t reach, you know this to be true. Search your feelings Lucky. Tell me what they tell you."

"This is ridiculous," Lucky sighed.

"Just humor me. Go on. Search."
Rolling his eyes, Lucky closed his eyes and concentrated on the news he had just received and his feelings. He didn’t know what to think about what he found. He believed her. She was telling the truth. "So my whole life has been a lie?"

"Only what Faison has put in your head. When we get back to Port Charles and back with the Spencers…we’ll work on bringing your true memories to the surface. I’m sorry Lucky…I’m so sorry."
Lucky only nodded and for the rest of the train trip he remained silent lost in the thoughts of what he’s just been told.

*

Morning, the next day.

Anna and Lucky stand outside of Kelly’s poised to go in. Anna placed a supportive hand on his shoulder.

"Remember, I’ll be right there. Don’t be nervous. The people here knows and loves you very much. Are you ready?"

"Ready to meet a bunch of strangers who you say are my family? I guess," Lucky shrugged. "Mom…I mean Anna…are you sure you’re correct about this? I mean…"

"Lucky…I’m positive. Faison had forgotten to brainwash me as well. That was his mistake. Now come on. Let’s go surprise a certain girl in there. She should be the first to see you."
Elizabeth was wiping down the counter while Nikolas talked to her, keeping her company. No matter how hard he had tried, Elizabeth had refused to give up hope that Lucky would be returning to them. He wished he could have her faith.

"Liz! Come here please!" Tammy called from the kitchen.

"I’ll be back," Elizabeth touched Nikolas’s shoulder before disappearing into the kitchen.

Sighing, Nikolas’s thoughts returned to his brother. He felt hot tears swell in his eyes. It wasn’t fair. He didn’t have that long with his brother…it just wasn’t fair. He looks up at the door at the sound of the bell and his eyes widen in shock. Standing just inside the door way was Anna Scorpio and his thought dead brother, Lucky. Lucky was looking around the diner curiously, as if he had never been there before.

"Lucky?" Nikolas whispered getting to his feet just as Elizabeth came out and dropped the tray of glasses she was carrying.

"Lucky!" She screamed in disbelief and joy and immediately ran out from behind the counter and threw her arms around him. "Lucky you came back! I knew you would! No one would believe me but I knew you’d come back to us!" She cried, clinging desparately to him as if he may disappear.

"Lucky?" Nikolas approached his brother with more caution. The confused look in Lucky’s eyes told him that something wasn’t right. "Lucky it’s me Nikolas…your brother. And this is…"

"Elizabeth?" Lucky asked still uncertain of the girl that was hugging him desparately. She looked just like she did in all his dreams.

"What’s going on?" Nikolas turned to Anna.

The woman bowed her head. "He’s been brainwashed. He doesn’t remember any of you…well maybe Elizabeth but that’s all."

"Oh boy. This is bad. Luke is going to hit the roof."
"Luke?"
"Your father Lucky," Nikolas turned to his brother.

"But Faison’s…oh."
"What’s going on? What did Faison do to my brother?" Nikolas turned on Anna. "I want to know now!"
"Hey don’t yell at her, it’s not her fault," Lucky jumped to Anna’s defense.

"Lucky it’s ok. He’s upset as he very well should be. Tell me Nikolas…what’s the status here?"

"Everyone thinks you’re dead," Elizabeth spoke up. "Luke and Mr. Scorpio tried to look for you but they gave up. But I didn’t give up. I knew Lucky was alive. I’d feel it if he wasn’t."

Anna smiled sweetly, touched by the girl’s devotion. She truly did love Lucky.

"Tell us what’s going on," Nikolas crossed his arms.

"…Lucky was brainwashed to believe that Faison and I were his parents. I’ve just told him the truth so right now things are a bit touchy for him."

Nikolas nodded in understanding. "Listen, why don’t we all go back to my cottage. I’ll contact everybody and we can discuss this there."

"Yeah. The middle of a crowded diner isn’t a very good place for a family reunion," Elizabeth smiled and pulled away from Lucky. She squeezed his hand reassuringly. "I’ll be right back. I’m just going to tell Tammy I’m taking off a couple of minutes early."

Lucky just nodded and watched her disappear into the kitchen. "She’s even more beautiful than I thought."

"She’s missed you terribly," Nikolas nodded. "So if she seems a little clingy that’s why."
"All ready," Elizabeth reappeared, minus her apron.

"This is a really nice place," Lucky looked around the diner.

"Yeah, your aunt Ruby used to own it. She was the one that hired me but now your father and Aunt Bobbie own it, they have Tammy manage it because they’re too busy to do so themselves," Liz explained.

"Aunt Ruby? Aunt Bobbie?"

"It’ll all come back to you. Don’t worry," Anna reassured him as Nikolas led them out to his jag.

"So how did you two escape?" Nikolas asked.

"Faison left for a trip. So I took advantage of that and got rid of the guards and Lucky and I boarded the first train to Port Charles."

"So Faison doesn’t even know you’re gone?" Nikolas asked.

"Not as of yet. But when he does, I can imagine his anger," Anna sighed.

"But why did he brainwash Lucky? I don’t get it."
"…It’s best if we wait until the others are around to discuss that," Anna gazed out the window.

"Hello Luke? This is Nikolas. Get my mother and Mr. Scorpio and head for my cottage. We’ll be waiting for you," Nikolas speaks into his cell phone. "No time for answers. Just get to the cottage. We’ll be waiting," Nikolas sighed as he hung up the phone. "Luke and the others will be at the cottage in a hour."

"Are they going to be happy to see us?" Lucky nervously asked.

"They’re going to ecstatic," Nikolas grinned back at his brother.

"Especially Laura. She’s missed you so much," Elizabeth squeezed his hand.

"Here we are. My cottage. Let’s go in," Nikolas parked the car and headed for the door.

"This is a nice place," Lucky looked around as he stepped in.

"We used to hang here a lot," Nikolas smiled at the memories. His smile faded a little as he noticed Lucky yawn. "Hey it must have been a long trip on that train. Why don’t you go on into your old room and take a nap. I’ll come get you when the others arrive?"

"I have a room here?"

"Of course. When you came back the first time, you and Elizabeth lived here. Liz, you want to show him where the room is?"

"Sure," Elizabeth took his hand and led him upstairs. Anna’s about to follow when Nikolas stopped her.

"Why did you wait so long to bring him home? Surely Faison took more trips than this one."

Anna bowed her head. This was the thing she’s beaten herself up for a thousand times. She did in fact have plenty of times to escape Faison and return Lucky to his grieving family. But being a mother was something she had missed and she deeply enjoyed being Lucky’s mother. She just wasn’t strong enough to go back to family friend at the time.

"It’s a hard thing to explain Nikolas. For one, Faison’s a very dangerous man. He’d kill Lucky in a heartbeat if he caught us escaping. This has been the longest Faison has been away and the right time to escape."

"How bad is the brainwashing?"
"It’s deep. We’re going to have to work with Lucky in order for him to remember who he is and who is family is. Faison had totally buried those memories deep."

"He’s different. Even after the second kidnapping, he had that lively cocky Spencer attitude. Now…it’s gone."

"Like I said, Faison’s brainwashing technique was excellent. He covered every corner."

"And you just letted this happen?"

"I had no choice. That was the only way I could protect Lucky from anymore harm. Please try to understand…if there was another way to keep Lucky safe I would have taken it."

"Well let’s just hope that Luke and my mother believe you. They’re not going to be happy when they find out that Lucky thinks you’re his mother…especially my mom. Lucky means a lot to her."

"I know," Anna bowed her head. "I know."

"Nikolas!" Luke barges into the cottage, Laura and Robert following him. "What’s so important that you’ve demanded all of us here?!"
"Luke stop yelling," Laura scolded. "This must be important for Nikolas to call you over here."

Everyone stops in their tracks when they see Anna standing in front of Nikolas. Robert’s eyes light up with joy and relief.

"Anna!" He ran to her and swept her up into a warm embrace, hugging her as if he’ll never let go again.

"Robert! Oh Robert! I never thought I’d see you again," Anna cried, forgetting about everything that had happened to her in the past few months. It was so good being in his arms again. "Oh Robert I’ve missed you so much."

Laura and Luke watch the scene silently, both wondering where their son was. That was when they heard the all too familiar voice coming from the bottom of the staircase.

· · "Mom?"
Laura glanced towards the voice and her eyes widen with pure joy as does Luke’s. "Lucky!" She runs to the young man and hugs him tightly, never wanting to let him go again. She had never thought she’d be able to hold her son in her arms again. "Oh Lucky we’ve missed you so much."

"Welcome home Cowboy," Luke hugged both Laura and their son, Neither noticing the panicked expression in his eyes.

Anna noticed when Robert turned around with his back facing the Spencers. She quickly pulled away from Robert and went over to the small group.

"Ahem," Anna cleared her throat. "There are a couple of things I need to tell you."

"What? What did that madman do to my son?" Luke turned towards Anna, knowing that something was not right. Lucky hadn’t responded to neither him nor Laura.

"First let’s all set down," Anna took Lucky’s hand and led him away from the small group, knowing that such closeness with these strangers was making him uncomfortable.

"Lucky?" Laura asked concerned. The way Lucky looked at her…it was as if he didn’t know her and the way he looked at Anna…was the way he used to look at her.

"Anna what’s going on?" Robert asked, concerned himself at Anna’s strange behavior.

"This is going to be hard to explain. Well…the truth of the matter is that lucky remembers none of you except for Elizabeth. He was brainwashed to believe that Faison and I were his parents," Anna quickly explained, all the while looking at the floor.

"What!!!" Luke exploded. "may I ask why you allowed this to happen?"

"…he would have hurt Lucky if I didn’t. This was the only way I could protect him."

"You and Faison Lucky’s parents? Why? What would that accomplish?" Robert asked.

"…Robert you know as well as anyone here that Faison wanted me for himself…obviously he thought if he could make Lucky believe that we were his parents…that we were one big happy family that it would make me love him. But it didn’t. I came to love Lucky as my own, but never Faison. His plot made him even more of a monster in my eyes."

"So you’re saying that Faison used my son as a pawn to get you to stay with him?" Laura dabbed at her tears.

Anna weakly nodded. "I’m sorry. I know you must hate me."

"Have you tried before now to get lucky to regain his memory?" Laura questioned. "Or did you wait to spring everything on him now?"

"I couldn’t try to regain his memory Laura. Faison was there all the time. The only reason we’re here now is because Faison made the mistake of taking a business trip."

"I can’t believe this," Laura stiffled back her own tears. "Is there anything else you want to tell us? Did you have him change his name? Or was your objective just to replace me in his life!"

"Laura…" Luke’s voice contained a warning.

"No! I’ve grieved not once but twice for my son just to learn that I was being replaced the second time around!"

"Stop it! Stop yelling it wasn’t her fault," Lucky spoke up. "She told me the truth and that’s what matters!"

"Laura calm down. We’ve got Lucky back and that’s what counts. Cowboy’s home now Angel. Our Cowboy’s home. We’re just going to have to be patient and help him through this. I’m sure Anna did what she could," Luke looked away from Laura and over to Anna. "Thank you. Thank you for taking care of our son and protecting him from Faison. Even if it meant he had to forget us."

Anna had tears in her eyes. "I’m sorry. If it was up to me none of this would had happened. And for the record Laura, you’re still his mother."

Laura just nodded and knelt before her youngest son. "Lucky…I just want you to know that no matter what, I love you. You and your brother and sister are the deepest part of my soul. I had to wait for Nikolas and now…I’ll wait patiently for you. I know deep down you know me as your mother and soon you’ll know right off hand. I just need for you to know that I and your father love you very much."

That’s when it happened. A flood of images flowed through Lucky’s brain. Him as a little boy with Luke. He had on a cowboy hat and a toy gun and he was atop Lukes back as if he was a horse. Him in Laura’s comforting arms after a particularly bad nightmare. Luke taking him camping and piercing his ear. His mother giving him a bouquet of roses to give to Elizabeth on Valentines day after all the florists ran out of white flowers.

"Mom? Dad?" a single tear flowed from his eyes as Laura gently stroked his hair.

"Oh Lucky," Laura sobbed, pulling her son into a warm comforting embrace. Luke came and joined them.

"We love you son," He whispered.

Robert looked over at his wife and noticed the look in her eyes. It was the same look she got when she looked at Robin. "Hey. Are you ok?" He placed a hand on her shoulder. "You must have gotten rather attached to that kid."

"He’s a wonderful boy. Luke and Laura are so fortunate to have him."

"Anna…before this whole thing with Faison started…I was thinking…how would you like to give Robin a little brother? I know right now is not a good time because of Faison…but after we’ve taken care of him…"

"Oh Robert do you mean it?"

"Of course. I’ve always wanted a son and now, after meeting Lucky and seeing what a blessing a son could be…I want to start trying."

"Thank you! Thank you!" Anna sobbed, throwing her arms around her husband. "I love you so much."

"I hate to interrupt this moment but I have to ask…what about Faison? When he finds out Lucky and Anna’s gone, he’s going to stop at nothing to get them back," Nikolas cleared his throat.

"The prince is right," Luke stroked his chin. "All I can think to do is call Sonny Corinthos and ask to use his safe house."

"No. Lucky hid out before and that didn’t work. He stays here at home with us. Where we can protect him ourselves," Laura stood up.

"Laura…that’s not a wise idea. This is the first place Faison will look," Anna replied.

"And he’ll meet the barrel of my gun. This is going to end now. When Faison shows his face, I’m going to be ready. Laura call Sonny and tell him we need all his best men armed and ready to shoot to kill. I’ll give them more information when they get here."

"Luke…" Robert began.

"I protect my family by any means necessary. I’ve done things your way and held off on killing Faison and looked what happened. Killing the man is the only way to make sure my son and your wife are safe for good. Now excuse me while I construct the list of authorized people who may see Lucky. I want to have everything prepared when the troops come in." Luke got up and left for the dining room, that also held a desk.

"Is he really planning to kill Faison?" Lucky asked turning to Elizabeth.

She nodded. "I believe so. After everything he’s done…Luke has finally had enough. Are you ok?"

Lucky shrugged. "I guess. It’s just…for six whole months I thought he was my father…I know now that it’s not true, but a part of me feels…"

"Panic at the thought that Faison’s going to meet his end? I took a psychology class at PCU while you were away and we discussed something like that. Sometimes a captive will form an attachment to their captors and with Faison having you believe that he was your father…that’s only normal," Elizabeth explained.

"But he’s not normal. He’s a monster and deserves what’s coming to him," Nikolas squeezed his brother’s shoulder. "He had no qualms about turning your life upside down. So don’t feel sorry about him finally meeting his end."

"Everything’s set. Sonny’s sending his men over right this minute," Laura nods, closing her cellphone.

"Good," Nikolas nodded.

"Is all of this really necessary?" Lucky asked.

"Afraid so Lucky. Faison is not to be underestimated," Anna looked at the boy apologetically.

"Elizabeth…why don’t you take Lucky upstairs so he can take a nap," Nikolas suggested. "It’s been a long day for him. Heck it’s been a long day for all of us."
"Sure. Come on Lucky. I’ll stay with you if you like," Elizabeth takes his hand.

"That’d be great," Lucky sighed, following Elizabeth up the stairs.

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