CHAPTER SIX

It was a twelve hour flight, but they finally made it. Just outside Rome Italy. Only a couple of miles away from Lucky.

"Ready men?" Roy glances at his two companions.

"Of course I am," Luke glares at his friend. "Now come on and let’s get my boy."

"Luke wait," Sonny restrains his Luke. "Our strategy remember? Don’t jump in the fire without looking because we’re not the only ones that can get burned. We need to make sure the kid’s in there first. Then we go in. Got it?"

"And how are we going to do that Corinthos?" Luke sighs. "Knock on the door and ask Helena if she happened to have my son? No way. The best way is to go in shooting."

"And perhaps get Lucky killed instead of saving him," Sonny sticks to his guns. "Or get yourself killed right in front of the kid. How do you think that’s gonna help him?"

"It won’t," Roy joins in. "Come on Luke. Listen to Sonny. He has a clearer head about this than you do. Remember?"

Luke nods, glancing at the ground. "Fine. What’s the plan?"

"It’s already in motion. I have a safe house we’ll be staying at for now. One of my men are already checking the premises. He’ll call us there and give us the news on whether Lucky’s at that compound or not. If he’s not, we keep looking. But if he is, we go in nice and carefully, get Lucky, then get out. Got it?"

"Why do I have a feeling it’s not going to be that easy?" Roy asked, following his friends to the black limo waiting for them at the end of the strip.

"Because it won’t be. Nothing’s that easy when it comes to the Cassadines," Luke shrugged. "But don’t worry. I’ve faced off against them before and won. And by God I’ll do it again for my boy. This nightmare ends now."

"For Lucky’s sake, I hope you’re right Luke. There’s no telling what Helena and Faison are doing to that kid," Roy squeezes his friend’s shoulder.

"You threw away your food," Faison appears in the doorway, glaring down at the mess then back up at Lucky who simply sets and glares back at him.

"Yeah so? What are you going to do about it?" Lucky asked.

Faison sighed, riegning in his temper. Helena had warned him against losing his temper with Lucky. She would not have him taking out his hatred on the boy. Not while she was in control, and hopefully, if his plans went at all the way they’re supposed to, he’ll have Lucky away from Helena’s control and then he could do what ever he wanted to the boy. "No more food for you until you can become more appreciative," Faison snarled. "You should have eaten Lucky. You’re going to wish you had."

Lucky turns away from the evil glare of his captor and stared at the wall, hoping that he did starve to death. At least that way, he could be sure that Elizabeth was safe for good. If Lucky was dead, there’d be no reason for them to have her followed like this.

"Good night Mr. Spencer," Faison exits the room, not noticing the face peering through the small vent that hung up near the ceiling.

Luke paces the floor. They’ve been in Italy for five hours now and no word about Lucky. What was taking Sonny’s man so long? "Where is he damn it?" He growled.

Suddenly the phone rings, echoeing through the empty house.

"That’s him," Sonny picks up the phone. "What ya got? He is! Yes!" Sonny covers the mouthpiece. "We’ve got him Luke! Lucky’s there!"

"Yes!!!" Luke dances around the room, joy rising in his chest. "Cowboy here I come! Your old man is coming!"
"Thanks Phillipe. You’re getting paid double for this," Sonny hangs up the phone. "Ok fellas. Let’s get this plan set in motion. Luke, hopefully by tonight, you will be heading back home with your son."

"Let’s move out," Roy grabs his gun and is already out the door, followed by Luke and Sonny.

The compound is well lit, a guard at each door, making sure that no one could get in or out with out clearance. Everything seemed peaceful. Then one by one, the guards are taken out by a silent gun shot, no one inside the wiser about what’s going on. Three lone figures then enter the compound and takes out the gaurds next to control room, where tvs are set up viewing each room.

The blonde intently stares at one tv in particular. A tv showing the picture of a seventeen year old boy, laying on the bed looking at the ceiling. His light eyes filled with hopelessness and despair.

"Cowboy," The man touches the screen.

"Helena and Faison are each on the upper levels, Lucky’s down in the lower level, a guard outside his room. We’ll have to take him out first," Roy glances at Luke. "Ready?"

"As ready as I’m ever gonna be?" Luke stands. None of the men notice Helena and Faison leave the view of the cameras. Ten seconds later, alarms sound throughout the building.

"I think we’ve been busted," Sonny looks around.

"Hurry! We have to get to Lucky before they do!" Luke heads for the door, his hand on his gun, ready to shoot if need be.

"All guards except one dead!" Faison growled, "And that’s the one outside Lucky’s room! Who could have done this!"

Helena’s eyes widen with surprise and fear. "Only one man I know of. Luke Spencer. Somehow he’s found out that Lucky’s alive and where we have him and now he’s here. Quick, get Lucky! I’ll try to hold Luke off until you get away!"

"How about you?" Faison asked, not really caring.

"I’ll catch up! Go! I’ll have the chopper waiting!"

Faison nods, already heading downstairs to collect the boy, a slight smile on his face. Things were going better than he thought. He’ll take the boy and disappear tonight where Helena would never find them.

Helena heads upstairs to head off the intruders.

Lucky layed on the bed, ignoring the blaring horns. Really he couldn’t hear them. He was too busy daydreaming about Elizabeth, about the first time they met. When they began to become friends, and when they fell in love. And finally, their last night together. He'll never forget how her eyes shone with pure happiness at being together.

"Elizabeth," He sighed, just as the door banged open and the guard and Faison entered, both holding guns.

"Get up! We’re leaving," Faison roughly pulls him off the bed and onto his feet.

"Where are we going?" Lucky asked, trying to mask the fear in his voice.

"That’s none of your business. Now come on," Faison pulled him to the door. "Unless you want something else to happen to your girlfriend."

His eyes widening, Lucky followed Faison’s orders and silently left the room without looking back.

Luke and company are almost to the bottom level when Helena steps in their way.

"Going somewhere gentlemen?" She smiles evilly at them.

"Out of the way Hellcat. I’m here for my boy," Luke glared at her, holding up his gun.

"You’re too late Luke. My associate is leaving the compound with him just as we speak," Helena grins. "Listen. That’s the chopper right now."

Sure enough, the sound of whooshing blades can be heard outside. Pushing Helena aside, Luke darts downstairs to the nearest exit. "Lucky no!!!"

They’re almost to the chopper. A few more steps. Thankfully the boy wasn’t putting up a fight. The threat against his girlfriend worked. The boy would do anything to protect her. Faison just reaches the chopper when a gunshot rings out and hits the side of the chopper. Faison turns to see Luke Spencer aiming the gun straight for him. Thinking fast, Faison grabs Lucky and holds him in front of him like a human shield.

"Dad!" Lucky eyes shine with tears as he sees his father, holding the gun at Faison.

"Don’t worry Cowboy! I’m getting you out of this," Luke winks at his son and turns his attention back to Faison. "You got to the count of three Faison! If you don’t let my son go I’ll shoot!"

"Let him go and end up in jail? I don’t think so!" Faison growled. "The boy’s coming with me! He’s my insurance!"

"I’ll be damned if I let you take my son! You already took Robert and Annah! You’re not taking my son!"

Faison just laughed and kept moving towards the chopper, all the while holding Lucky in front of him. "How are you going to stop me Spencer? Shoot me? Not without shooting the kid here I’m sure!"

"How about a deal Faison!" Roy appears next to Luke, along with Sonny, who’s also aiming his gun.

""What deal is that?" Faison stops moving, his curiousity getting the better of him. There was no way he wasn’t going to jail for this. There was no way out.

"Let Lucky go and we all forget your involvement in the whole thing," Roy calmly replied.

"What?!" Luke glared at Roy. "What are you doing?"

"Getting your kid back for you," Roy growled. "Trust me."

"You mean to tell me that if I let young Mr. Spencer here go, you’ll let me go free and clear? No cops? No wsb on my tail?" Faison arches a eyebrow. The offer sounded too good to be true.

"That’s exactly what I’m telling ya," Roy nods.

"And how are you going to explain this to the cops?"

"They’re not even in on it," Sonny answers. "Trust me man. I’m a mobster, Roy here is a ex-con and you already know Luke’s history! None of us trust the cops!"
"But what about Helena?!"

"We’ll take care of her!" Sonny answers. "Just let Lucky go!"

Faison narrows his eyes. The three men were offering him his freedom as long as they got the boy back. But he didn’t want to give him back. He had so many great plans for him. But then again, there was always next time. He’ll get Lucky again and when he did no one would be able to save him. "Enjoy your freedom Mr. Spencer and remember, there’s always one phone call from jail. Keep that in mind when you’re with Miss. Webber." With that said, Faison pushes Lucky away from him and enters the chopper. "I hold you to your words!" Faison glares at the men before disappearing inside the chopper and flies away into the night.

Lucky picks himself off the ground and finds himself enfolded in his father’s arms. "Cowboy," Luke cried tears of joy. He couldn’t believe this moment. He had thought that he’d never hold his son again, but here he was, holding his little boy. His lifeline. "Lucky."

"Dad," Lucky cried too, knowing that for now, the ordeal was over. His father had come through for him and so has Nikolas…Nikolas! "Dad…where’s Nikolas? How’s Elizabeth," Lucky pulls away from the hug and immediately stares into his father’s eyes.

"In port charles following your orders. He’s looking after Elizabeth."

"How is she?"
"Safe. Nikolas did a bit of heroics the other night, but other than that, she’s safe," Luke grinned pulling his son into his arms. "She’s safe son. "She’s safe."
"Thank God," Lucky cried tears of joy. "I thought…I thought that…."

"Shhh Lucky I know. But the Prince was there and he didn’t let anything happen."

"How touching" a voice appears from behind. Luke turned to face his old enemy. "A father and son reunion. Just does your heart good."

Luke lets go of Lucky and advance on Helena. He swiftly grabs her by her throat and stares intently into her eyes, his eyes gleaming with murder. "Go after mine again Helena and I’ll go after yours."
"What’s that supposed to mean?" Helena gazes up at Luke.

" You even look at my son cross-eyed again and your precious grandson pays the price."
"Dad…" Lucky walks to his father, but doesn’t say a word. He knew his father wouldn’t do anything to Nikolas. He knew that he’d never forgive him.

"You can’t be serious," Helena choked.

"I’m dead serious," Luke tightens his grip. "Now me and my friends here are going to take my son back home now and I don’t expect to be hearing from you ever again. Do I make myself clear?"

Helena readily nods, her face beginning to grow blue.

"Good," Luke drops her. "Now get out of my sight!"

"I’ll be back Luke!" Helena glared at him.

"I know you will and I’ll be waiting," Luke glares after her as she disappears back into the compound. He turns back to Lucky and hugs his son again. "Ready to go home Cowboy?"
"I’ve been ready," Lucky sniffed, hugging his father back hard.

"The safe house is ready for us for the night. We head back first thing in the morning," Sonny steps up to them.

"Can I make a phone call from there?" Lucky asked, his eyes lighting up. There was someone he needed to thank.

"Sure think Lucky. Who you want to call?" Sonny asked.

Nikolas grumbles as he races downstairs to answer the phone. His mood softens when he spots Elizabeth sound asleep in a chair, the book in her lap.

"Cassadine here."

"Hey man," Lucky’s phone floats through the phone.

"Lucky!" Nikolas exclaims, waking elizabeth who rubs sleep out of her eyes.

"The one and only," Lucky laughed.

"Where are you?"

"At one of Sonny’s safe houses. Dad showed up right out of the blue and got me out of there," Lucky explained. Then his voice softens with emotion. "I just wanted to call and thank you. I know this was because you believed me."

"Of course I did. I’d know my little brother’s voice anywhere," Nikolas grinned.

"Is that Lucky?" Elizabeth sets up, her eyes widening.

"Is that Elizabeth?" Lucky asked, hearing her voice in the background.

"Sure is. I’m telling you Lucky, this girl of yours is not very easy to protect. I finally had her move in with me so I can keep a twenty-four hour watch on her."

"I owe you one man," Lucky grins. "You really did come through for me on all counts."

"That’s what big brothers are for," Nikolas shruggs. "You want to talk to her?"

"No. Not yet. I don’t want to talk to her until I can hold her in my arms and never let go," Lucky sighed. "But tell her I love her, that I never stopped. Okay?"

"Sure thing," Nikolas nods.

"Talk to ya later Nik," Lucky smiles.

"Later," Nikolas said as Lucky hangs up.

"Well?" Elizabeth looked at Nikolas expectantly.

"That was Lucky. He’s safe. Lucky got him out."

Elizabeth screams with joy and throws her arms around Nikolas. "He’s coming home! But why didn’t you let me talk to him?"
"Because he asked me not to give the phone to you. He wants to wait until he sees you again so that he can hold you and never let go. He did tell me to tell you that he loves you and never stopped."

"Oh Lucky," Elizabeth sinks into a chair and begins to cry tears of joy. The nightmare was finally over. Her life could start again now that he was coming home.

"Elizabeth?" Nikolas leans down next to her, looking at her tears. He was confused. He thought Lucky coming home would make her happy.

"He’s coming back to me Nikolas," Elizabeth smiled. "He’s coming home."

"I know," Nikolas hugged her tightly. "I know."

HOME

CHAPTER INDEX

CONTINUE

It was a twelve hour flight, but they finally made it. Just outside Rome Italy. Only a couple of miles away from Lucky.

"Ready men?" Roy glances at his two companions.

"Of course I am," Luke glares at his friend. "Now come on and let’s get my boy."

"Luke wait," Sonny restrains his Luke. "Our strategy remember? Don’t jump in the fire without looking because we’re not the only ones that can get burned. We need to make sure the kid’s in there first. Then we go in. Got it?"

"And how are we going to do that Corinthos?" Luke sighs. "Knock on the door and ask Helena if she happened to have my son? No way. The best way is to go in shooting."

"And perhaps get Lucky killed instead of saving him," Sonny sticks to his guns. "Or get yourself killed right in front of the kid. How do you think that’s gonna help him?"

"It won’t," Roy joins in. "Come on Luke. Listen to Sonny. He has a clearer head about this than you do. Remember?"

Luke nods, glancing at the ground. "Fine. What’s the plan?"

"Why do I have a feeling it’s not going to be that easy?" Roy asked, following his friends to the black limo waiting for them at the end of the strip.

"Because it won’t be. Nothing’s that easy when it comes to the Cassadines," Luke shrugged. "But don’t worry. I’ve faced off against them before and won. And by God I’ll do it again for my boy. This nightmare ends now."

"For Lucky’s sake, I hope you’re right Luke. There’s no telling what Helena and Faison are doing to that kid," Roy squeezes his friend’s shoulder.

"You threw away your food," Faison appears in the doorway, glaring down at the mess then back up at Lucky who simply sets and glares back at him.

"Yeah so? What are you going to do about it?" Lucky asked.

Lucky turns away from the evil glare of his captor and stared at the wall, hoping that he did starve to death. At least that way, he could be sure that Elizabeth was safe for good. If Lucky was dead, there’d be no reason for them to have her followed like this.

"Good night Mr. Spencer," Faison exits the room, not noticing the face peering through the small vent that hung up near the ceiling.

Luke paces the floor. They’ve been in Italy for five hours now and no word about Lucky. What was taking Sonny’s man so long? "Where is he damn it?" He growled.

Suddenly the phone rings, echoeing through the empty house.

"That’s him," Sonny picks up the phone. "What ya got? He is! Yes!" Sonny covers the mouthpiece. "We’ve got him Luke! Lucky’s there!"

"Let’s move out," Roy grabs his gun and is already out the door, followed by Luke and Sonny.

The blonde intently stares at one tv in particular. A tv showing the picture of a seventeen year old boy, laying on the bed looking at the ceiling. His light eyes filled with hopelessness and despair.

"Cowboy," The man touches the screen.

"Helena and Faison are each on the upper levels, Lucky’s down in the lower level, a guard outside his room. We’ll have to take him out first," Roy glances at Luke. "Ready?"

"As ready as I’m ever gonna be?" Luke stands. None of the men notice Helena and Faison leave the view of the cameras. Ten seconds later, alarms sound throughout the building.

"I think we’ve been busted," Sonny looks around.

"Hurry! We have to get to Lucky before they do!" Luke heads for the door, his hand on his gun, ready to shoot if need be.

"All guards except one dead!" Faison growled, "And that’s the one outside Lucky’s room! Who could have done this!"

Helena’s eyes widen with surprise and fear. "Only one man I know of. Luke Spencer. Somehow he’s found out that Lucky’s alive and where we have him and now he’s here. Quick, get Lucky! I’ll try to hold Luke off until you get away!"

"How about you?" Faison asked, not really caring.

"I’ll catch up! Go! I’ll have the chopper waiting!"

Faison nods, already heading downstairs to collect the boy, a slight smile on his face. Things were going better than he thought. He’ll take the boy and disappear tonight where Helena would never find them.

Helena heads upstairs to head off the intruders.

"Elizabeth," He sighed, just as the door banged open and the guard and Faison entered, both holding guns.

"Get up! We’re leaving," Faison roughly pulls him off the bed and onto his feet.

"Where are we going?" Lucky asked, trying to mask the fear in his voice.

"That’s none of your business. Now come on," Faison pulled him to the door. "Unless you want something else to happen to your girlfriend."

His eyes widening, Lucky followed Faison’s orders and silently left the room without looking back.

Luke and company are almost to the bottom level when Helena steps in their way.

"Going somewhere gentlemen?" She smiles evilly at them.

"Out of the way Hellcat. I’m here for my boy," Luke glared at her, holding up his gun.

"You’re too late Luke. My associate is leaving the compound with him just as we speak," Helena grins. "Listen. That’s the chopper right now."

Sure enough, the sound of whooshing blades can be heard outside. Pushing Helena aside, Luke darts downstairs to the nearest exit. "Lucky no!!!"

"Dad!" Lucky eyes shine with tears as he sees his father, holding the gun at Faison.

"Don’t worry Cowboy! I’m getting you out of this," Luke winks at his son and turns his attention back to Faison. "You got to the count of three Faison! If you don’t let my son go I’ll shoot!"

"Let him go and end up in jail? I don’t think so!" Faison growled. "The boy’s coming with me! He’s my insurance!"

"I’ll be damned if I let you take my son! You already took Robert and Annah! You’re not taking my son!"

Faison just laughed and kept moving towards the chopper, all the while holding Lucky in front of him. "How are you going to stop me Spencer? Shoot me? Not without shooting the kid here I’m sure!"

"How about a deal Faison!" Roy appears next to Luke, along with Sonny, who’s also aiming his gun.

""What deal is that?" Faison stops moving, his curiousity getting the better of him. There was no way he wasn’t going to jail for this. There was no way out.

"Let Lucky go and we all forget your involvement in the whole thing," Roy calmly replied.

"What?!" Luke glared at Roy. "What are you doing?"

"Getting your kid back for you," Roy growled. "Trust me."

"You mean to tell me that if I let young Mr. Spencer here go, you’ll let me go free and clear? No cops? No wsb on my tail?" Faison arches a eyebrow. The offer sounded too good to be true.

"That’s exactly what I’m telling ya," Roy nods.

"And how are you going to explain this to the cops?"

"They’re not even in on it," Sonny answers. "Trust me man. I’m a mobster, Roy here is a ex-con and you already know Luke’s history! None of us trust the cops!" "But what about Helena?!"

"We’ll take care of her!" Sonny answers. "Just let Lucky go!"

Lucky picks himself off the ground and finds himself enfolded in his father’s arms. "Cowboy," Luke cried tears of joy. He couldn’t believe this moment. He had thought that he’d never hold his son again, but here he was, holding his little boy. His lifeline. "Lucky."

"Dad," Lucky cried too, knowing that for now, the ordeal was over. His father had come through for him and so has Nikolas…Nikolas! "Dad…where’s Nikolas? How’s Elizabeth," Lucky pulls away from the hug and immediately stares into his father’s eyes.

"In port charles following your orders. He’s looking after Elizabeth."

"How is she?" "Safe. Nikolas did a bit of heroics the other night, but other than that, she’s safe," Luke grinned pulling his son into his arms. "She’s safe son. "She’s safe." "Thank God," Lucky cried tears of joy. "I thought…I thought that…."

"Shhh Lucky I know. But the Prince was there and he didn’t let anything happen."

"How touching" a voice appears from behind. Luke turned to face his old enemy. "A father and son reunion. Just does your heart good."

Luke lets go of Lucky and advance on Helena. He swiftly grabs her by her throat and stares intently into her eyes, his eyes gleaming with murder. "Go after mine again Helena and I’ll go after yours." "What’s that supposed to mean?" Helena gazes up at Luke.

" You even look at my son cross-eyed again and your precious grandson pays the price." "Dad…" Lucky walks to his father, but doesn’t say a word. He knew his father wouldn’t do anything to Nikolas. He knew that he’d never forgive him.

"You can’t be serious," Helena choked.

"I’m dead serious," Luke tightens his grip. "Now me and my friends here are going to take my son back home now and I don’t expect to be hearing from you ever again. Do I make myself clear?"

Helena readily nods, her face beginning to grow blue.

"Good," Luke drops her. "Now get out of my sight!"

"I’ll be back Luke!" Helena glared at him.

"I know you will and I’ll be waiting," Luke glares after her as she disappears back into the compound. He turns back to Lucky and hugs his son again. "Ready to go home Cowboy?" "I’ve been ready," Lucky sniffed, hugging his father back hard.

"The safe house is ready for us for the night. We head back first thing in the morning," Sonny steps up to them.

"Can I make a phone call from there?" Lucky asked, his eyes lighting up. There was someone he needed to thank.

"Sure think Lucky. Who you want to call?" Sonny asked.

Nikolas grumbles as he races downstairs to answer the phone. His mood softens when he spots Elizabeth sound asleep in a chair, the book in her lap.

"Cassadine here."

"Hey man," Lucky’s phone floats through the phone.

"Lucky!" Nikolas exclaims, waking elizabeth who rubs sleep out of her eyes.

"The one and only," Lucky laughed.

"Where are you?"

"At one of Sonny’s safe houses. Dad showed up right out of the blue and got me out of there," Lucky explained. Then his voice softens with emotion. "I just wanted to call and thank you. I know this was because you believed me."

"They’re not even in on it," Sonny answers. "Trust me man. I’m a mobster, Roy here is a ex-con and you already know Luke’s history! None of us trust the cops!"
"But what about Helena?!"

"How is she?"
"Safe. Nikolas did a bit of heroics the other night, but other than that, she’s safe," Luke grinned pulling his son into his arms. "She’s safe son. "She’s safe."
"Thank God," Lucky cried tears of joy. "I thought…I thought that…."

Luke lets go of Lucky and advance on Helena. He swiftly grabs her by her throat and stares intently into her eyes, his eyes gleaming with murder. "Go after mine again Helena and I’ll go after yours."
"What’s that supposed to mean?" Helena gazes up at Luke.

" You even look at my son cross-eyed again and your precious grandson pays the price."
"Dad…" Lucky walks to his father, but doesn’t say a word. He knew his father wouldn’t do anything to Nikolas. He knew that he’d never forgive him.

"I know you will and I’ll be waiting," Luke glares after her as she disappears back into the compound. He turns back to Lucky and hugs his son again. "Ready to go home Cowboy?"
"I’ve been ready," Lucky sniffed, hugging his father back hard.