Part V
One month later...
"Where are you?" Alexis shouted into her cellular phone, holding a hand over her other ear to block any background noise.
Jax laughed on the other line and said, "The airport. On the runway."
"Why?"
"I couldn't wait to call you. Where are you?"
Alexis smiled to herself and answered him, "The docks. I'm on my way to Wyndemere. How was Indonesia? Did you save some big company from whatever it is you save them from?"
"It's taken care of. Are there problems?" He asked, his voice breaking as the line crackled.
She moved closer to the edge of the water, watching the oncoming launch. Alexis bit her lip and decided to lie. "Nope," she whispered. "No problems. You'll be at the penthouse when I get home?"
"Yes," Jax hollered. "See you later."
Alexis dropped the phone back into her purse. Even though a phone was usually attached to her ear most of the day, she was positive her and Jax set a record over the past week. She had never worked so hard to convince another human being that she was safe and doing fine on her own. Sighing, she stepped onto the boat and listened to the water ripple as it began to move, taking her closer to her family.
~*~
Nikolas tugged the end of the white lace tablecloth, making sure it was even with the other end of the table. He took one of the fragile wine glasses into his hands, examining the sparkling glass. He rubbed a smudge with his shirt and placed it back on the table. He filled each glass with red wine, making sure not one had more or less than another.
"Mrs. Landsbury has ensured me that the glasses are clean and the table is set to perfection," Stefan told him, circling around the table. "There is no need to triple check everything."
Nikolas shrugged. "I just want it to be perfect. It's the first time the three of us will be sitting down to a family dinner in... well, in a very long time." He smiled at the thought, patting his hand against Stefan's shoulder as he crossed the floor. "I just have one suggestion for tonight," he said, striking a match to light the candles placed around the room.
"What is it?"
"Our family's torrid past stays out there," Nikolas said, pointing to the door. "This is about our futures. This is about letting Alexis know how grateful we are that she survived and that after everything that happened, she still wants to be a Cassadine."
Stefan nodded, his lips spread into a thin smile. "I agree." He admired the bouquet of burgundy roses in the middle of the table. He reached forward, touching one of the soft petals and rubbing it between his fingers. When he bent forward to inhale the flowers' sweet fragrance, his mind was assaulted with memories of Helena. He could suddenly smell her perfume lingering in the air, long after she had left the dinner table. He was a young boy again, his face forced against the hollow of her shoulder in a cold, lifeless embrace that was purely for show. "Who put these here?" Stefan barked, wrapping his hands around the thick vase.
"I'm not sure," Nikolas shrugged, alarmed. "What's wrong with them?"
"Everything," Stefan shouted, carrying them to the middle of the room. He called for Mrs. Landsbury and placed the vase into her arms. "Please exchange these roses for some lilacs or... anything else!"
Nikolas stood behind his uncle, clasping his hand over the older man's shoulder. "What's wrong?"
"It's fine, Nikolas," Stefan's voice softened. He turned around, framing his nephew's face with his hands. He smiled and slowly let go, dropping his arms to his sides. "Alexis will be here any moment."
"She already is," Alexis called out, her heels clicking against the floor as she walked. She extended her arms as Nikolas made his way toward her, pulling him into a warm embrace. She smiled at Stefan over her nephew's shoulder. "Thank you very much for inviting me tonight. I know how the two of you enjoy your dinners alone, so this-"
Nikolas held his hand up, silencing her. He took Alexis' hands and led her toward the table. "Things are going to change, Alexis," he promised. "We have all wasted so much time being enemies. We're a family and that is how it should always be."
"Good," she smiled, her eyes moist with tears. She turned to the doorway as Mrs. Landsbury entered the room, carrying a fresh bouquet of various flowers. "Oh, these are beautiful," Alexis remarked, taking the vase and placing it at the center of the table.
Stefan pulled a chair away from the table, motioning to the seat. Alexis smiled and sat down. He pushed her closer to the table and rest his hands over her shoulders. He bent down, his cheek brushing against her hair as his chin settled against her shoulder. "Nikolas set the table himself," he whispered, laughter in his voice.
"Really?" Alexis asked, impressed.
"Well," Nikolas sighed. "Not exactly. I just wanted this dinner to be perfect."
She winked and said, "It will be." Alexis looked around the room. "How could it not be? I don't see Helena lurking in the shadows."
"I forgot to mention. Stefan and I agreed before you arrived that our past would remain outside these walls, and that includes discussing my grandmother," Nikolas told her, the last word rolling bitterly off his tongue.
"Oh, but this isn't about the past, Nikolas," she said, watching each man take a seat at the ends of the table. "This is about the future."
Stefan cleared his throat, drawing her attention. "I've had a feeling that some kind of plan has been brewing in that mind of your's, Alexis. Do you have any intention of sharing your ideas?"
"Nothing is going on," she assured him, hating herself for telling her brother yet another lie. Alexis held her glass of wine in the air. She smiled and said, "I can assure both of you that Helena Cassadine will not be a problem in our lives much longer." Stefan and Nikolas hesitated for a moment and then recognized the gleam in her eyes. They smiled and reached across the table, clanking their glasses together.
~*~
When he wrapped his hand around the doorknob, he could feel the music from inside vibrating against the walls. He knew he was on the outskirts of Port Charles, mostly because he didn't recognize any of his surroundings. Lucky opened the door and coughed as a stream of cigarette smoke assaulted him. The few patrons that were left in the bar seemed too drunk to notice his presence. He breezed past the tables, the jukebox and a few arcade games to make his way to the counter. "Hey," Lucky nodded at the bartender, hopping onto one of the stools.
"Hey," the man answered, skeptical.
"I was wondering if you're looking for any help?"
The bartender bent down, propping his elbow on the counter. He studied Lucky's appearance and asked, "How old are you, kid?"
"Does it matter?" Lucky shrugged, sitting up and straightening his shoulders.
"Hell yes! You don't look a day over 16."
Lucky shook his head. "Then you don't get out much, sir. I'm 18, actually."
"Still too young," he said, turning away.
Lucky sat up, reaching over the counter to grab the end of the man's shirt. He squinted to read the faded name tag pinned to the collar. "Listen... Lester. I need a job. I'm not looking to tend bar or cause trouble. I want to work nights, as late as possible with as few people as possible around. I'll clean, whatever you want."
Lester grabbed Lucky's wrist and twisted his hand, forcing him to let go of his shirt. He saw the dirt soiling Lucky's clothes beneath his bulky jacket, and traces of dried mud imbedded in his hairline. He wiped his hands down his chest and said, "Okay, kid. You come in here every night at twelve and sweep, mop, wipe everything down. Get it ready for the next day. You can start tomorrow."
"Okay, thanks," Lucky smiled, standing up. "My name's Lu... Lucas. See you tomorrow."
As Lucky walked away, Lester saw a fresh pot of coffee through the corner of his eye. He tossed his towel over the bar and called out, "Hey, kid. We never let employees leave without a cuppa coffee. Sit down."
~*~
Alexis shivered and pulled her jacket closed around her chest. She stopped in front of Kelley's and emitted a frustrated grunt at the sight of "closed" sign, the bright orange letters standing out against the darkness. She rolled the end of her sleeve up enough to see her watch; she was early. She pressed her face against the glass and squinted to see inside the diner. Alexis tapped her fist against the door and called out, "Luke! Don't do this!"
"Do what?"
She gasped and spun around, her fists clenched in defense. Alexis rolled her eyes and slapped her hand across his chest. "Luke! What are you doing?"
He smiled innocently and said, "What do you mean? I said we'd meet at Kelley's at 10:00. It's only quarter till and here we are, at Kelley's. I don't see the problem." She slapped him again, shaking her head. "What? I never specified inside the diner, Alexis," Luke told her, shrinking away as she brought her hand into the air again.
"You... you... make me so mad!" Alexis grunted through clenched teeth. She became angrier as Luke simply laughed at her frustrated state. Moving closer to him, she pressed her finger into his chest and said, "This won't work if you keep acting like a stubborn, bratty little boy! I don't need you to do this, Spencer. I could easily ask my brother for help finding Helena and Lucky. Jax would do anything to put that bitch away for good. So get serious or just go away!"
Luke watched her for a moment, his eyes focused on her face as it twisted into an angry scowl. Her cheeks were painted a bright crimson. He held his hands against Alexis' shoulders, lightly kneading her tense body. "Loosen up, babe," he stressed each word. He bent his knees until their eyes were level. "I've never been more serious about anything in my entire life, and that's a helluva long time. This is my son we're talking about. Got it?"
She shook her head slowly. "Then why are we still standing here?" Alexis sighed, relaxing under his touch.
Luke shrugged. He dropped his hands from her shoulders, letting his fingers sweep over her arms. He checked to make sure they were alone. He motioned for her to start walking and quickly joined her, holding his hands behind his back. "Give me a run down," he asked casually.
"I've been having nightmares, which is true," Alexis started, taking small steps. She found herself walking closer to Luke, her shoulder occasionally brushing against his. "So I got to the PCPD. I say I've been remembering things about the night I was shot. I file a report. I say Helena's name as much as possible and-"
"Meanwhile," Luke finished her thoughts, "I take a little trip. Do a little research."
Alexis nodded and said, "Yes. All you need is one little inkling about where Helena might be, one little piece of evidence that she might have faked your son's death. If you can come back with that and take it to the police, then we can..." Her words faded and she let out a defeated sigh.
"What?"
"I don't know," Alexis shook her head, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I'm well aware that you've been known to perform miracles when it comes to tracking down Helena, but what makes us so sure that'll happen this time? If she is indeed with Lucky, she's not going to make it so easy on you. Killing Helena is easy, but finding her is probably going to be the hardest thing either of us will ever do. Obviously. We've been trying for a month."
Luke nudged her with his elbow. "Shut up," he ordered quietly.
"Excuse me?"
"Shut up," he repeated himself, holding his arm out to block her from walking any further.
Alexis looked into his eyes and followed his gaze. She gasped and grabbed hold of his arm. "You spoke too soon, sweet pea," Luke beamed, shaking his head in disbelief.
Alexis shut and opened her eyes, making sure she wasn't delusional. "Impossible!"
"No, it's not," Luke sighed. "That's Helena's yacht." The large, extravagant yacht stood out as it swayed on the murky water. They found themselves backing up, moving away from the edge of the docks.
Without warning, the sound of a gun being fired echoed in their ears. Alexis jumped and reflexively dropped onto her knees. Luke pulled her back to her feet, holding his arm around her waist. He felt frozen, unable to lift his heavy feet from the ground. Their eyes darted around and searched the darkness. Another shot was fired, and it sounded as though it was coming from behind. Before they had a chance to move, bullets seemed to be charging at them from every direction. Alexis felt her heart racing and her wounds, already healed, began to burn and ache as the tiny explosions forced her to remember.
She wrapped her arms around Luke's waist, latching onto him. Using the weight of her body, she pushed him until they tumbled over the edge of the docks. He hooked his arms around her body as they fell, their joined bodies splicing into the water. Their screams were muffled as the dark, cold liquid engulfed them. The current pulled their bodies down and out, and Luke furiously kicked his legs to keep from being swept away. He kept his eyes focused on Alexis' face, and she opened her eyes to see that he was no more or less frightened than she was. That was a surprising comfort and she mimicked his actions, trying to keep from being carried away or rising to the surface.
~*~
Half of Luke's life had been spent escaping from something. He knew how to survive, and he knew the water as well as the land. With his fingers wrapped tightly around Alexis' hand, they swam under the water until he was positive they were out of harm's way. As they kicked to the surface, they opened their mouths and released ragged breaths. They gasped for air, coughing and choking.
Alexis opened her eyes and felt the world around her spinning. Luke waded behind her, his arms around her waist. Her head rolled back and rest against his shoulder. She struggled to keep her eyes open but everything was colored black, and her head was throbbing. "It's okay," Luke panted, kicking his legs. "Stay with me, Alexis. Stay with me."
He knew they weren't very far from where Helena's yacht had stopped, and from where the bullets had sprayed. Luke swam until they reached the edge of the docks. He held Alexis against his knee, hoisting her onto the ledge. He grunted as he lifted his own body out of the water. He sat beside her, catching his breath and wiping the water from his eyes. Even though he wanted to collapse, Luke mustered his strength and stood up. He pulled Alexis to her feet and said, "You gotta help me out."
She felt adrenaline pumping through her veins and slowly waking her up. Alexis followed behind him, their feet pounding against the ground as they ran. She wanted to stop. She wanted to give up, but her feet carried her Luke's determination was encouraging. She gained speed and ran slightly ahead of him, knowing where he intended to go.
~*~
The building was completely dark, save for the neon sign above "Luke's" door. Their bodies collided as they stopped for the first time since leaving the water. Luke was thankful his keys hadn't fallen from his pockets at some point, and turned one in the lock. He shoved the door open and pushed Alexis inside. She listened as he pulled the door shut and locked it, feeling the wall for the light switch.
The sudden light assaulted their eyes, increasing the pain in their heads. Alexis covered her eyes and moaned. She backed up until she felt her legs hit a chair, her body collapsing. As soon as she had caught her breath and felt her heart slow down, she looked up at Luke and asked, "Are you sure this isn't too obvious? Everyone knows your club is... obvious."
He shook his head, confident. Luke slammed down onto the chair beside her. "They're gonna think I'm too smart to come here," he told her, wiping his hand down his face. He felt drops of water sliding down his skin and splashing onto the table in front of him. "They don't know how stupid I really am."
Alexis gained her composure and sat up. Her wet clothes were sticking to the chair. When she pressed her feet against the floor, water squished inside her shoes. "Thanks," she said absently, the word nothing more than a rasp of breath.
"Hmm?"
She rolled her eyes and clarified, "I was saying thank you."
"What are you talkin' about? You're the one that pushed us into the water. Fast thinkin', Natasha. I like that in a partner."
She smiled despite her state of distress and fear. But the small expression of pride quickly faded. "Helena's not going to stop, Luke. She wants nothing more than to see the two of us dead. She knows," Alexis told him, struggling not to cry.
He reached his hand across the table until they're fingers touched. When she didn't pull away, Luke draped his hand over her's. "Helena knows someone is always trying to kill her. This grand scheme of our's doesn't make us any more or less of a target, Tasha. We're at risk every single day. But so is she. And maybe what happened tonight is ammunition. We can use it against her." Alexis nodded weakly, wanting desperately to believe him. He offered her a slight smile and pulled back, standing up. "Lemme get you a drink," he said, his feet squeaking across the floor as he walked to the bar. His wet clothes left a trail of water on the tiles.
Alexis slammed her fists against the table. "I don't want a damn drink," she hollered. "It's not going to fix anything."
Luke slowly turned to face her. His chest tightened. She was holding a hand against her hip, and he could almost see her fingers and shirt saturated with blood. "I'm sorry," he whispered, moving toward her and sitting down in one quick motion. Luke pushed his chair closer to her's and forced their eyes to meet. "I told you I was stupid. I keep forgettin' that not too long ago you were on the brink of death. And I bet that tonight brought back a lotta feelings, huh?"
She nodded, a tear slipping down her cheek. Alexis hugged her arms around her chest, shivering as the cool air hit her skin. She looked down to see a puddle of water surrounding her chair. "I want to go home," she whispered.
"I know you do, but it's not a good idea to be movin' around. Not for a while at least."
"Jax will be worried."
Luke rolled his eyes. "You can call him. Right now we need to get dry and warm, okay?" He stood up and extended his arm, wiggling his fingers until she took hold of his hand.
"Where are we going?" Alexis asked, following behind him.
"Upstairs."
~*~
The apartment was barren. The furniture included a couch with tears all over the gray upholstery and a small table with two chairs. There was room for more, and Alexis was sure that at one time it had been quite crowded with chairs, stereo systems and lavish rugs. It had once belonged to Sonny Corinthos after all.
She circled around the room, wondering if there were bullet holes in the walls. Alexis stopped in front of a mirror and grimaced at her reflection. Her hair was stringy and still dripping wet. She took the towel in her hand and swept it over her hair again. Dragging the towel down her face, she rubbed her tired eyes.
Alexis looked at the way Luke's baggy sweatshirt hung from her body, the sleeves hiding her hands. She found the drawstring on the sweat pants he had given her, tying it tighter around her waist. When she looked up, she saw him standing at the doorway. Alexis turned around, startled.
"Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you," he smiled, walking to the small kitchen. He checked the coffee pot and announced, "It's ready."
"I don't really want any."
Luke looked over his shoulder to see her plop down on the sofa. "Yes, you do," he called out to her, filling to mugs. He carried them into the other room and set them on the floor. He sat down beside her, their bodies forced to be close on the small couch. He followed her gaze and saw that she was staring at the phone. "You can call him."
"Oh. No." Alexis twisted the end of the sweatshirt around her fingers, nervously chewing her bottom lip.
He reached toward her and softly tapped her shoulder. "Talk to me."
"I don't want to call Jax from here and have to lie about where I am and why I'm not at home. I mean, I don't want him to worry. I just can't lie anymore."
He nodded, understanding. Luke pointed to the mug at her feet and said, "It's not laced with arsenic. I make good coffee."
"I don't doubt that you do," she laughed quietly. "I figure you must have at least one good quality."
Luke smiled to himself. He enjoyed their banter. It was killing him not to tell Laura, and even Elizabeth, that Lucky was alive. It was killing him even more that he couldn't include his soon to be ex-wife in the search for their son. But having Alexis at his side somehow made it easier, clarified the situation. After a moment of silence, he cleared his throat and said, "You can stay here. I don't bite."
She didn't respond. Alexis kept her chin pressed to her chest, her eyes shut tightly. Her legs were folded in front of her body, arms hanging at her sides.
"Alexis? Hey?"
She looked up. Slants of moisture were streaking her cheeks. She opened her eyes, red rimmed and glistening with tears. "I'm sorry," she apologized for coming unglued in his presence, mostly sorry for herself than for him.
"You got nothin' to apologize for," he reminded her gently, scooting closer.
"It's just... that sound. They say smell is the biggest memory trigger. But," Alexis shook her head, "when I heard that gun being fired, I was standing in my suite again. I was shaking while Lucky pointed a gun at me." She paused, slowly turning to look at Luke. "But it was different this time. You were there."
He cleared his throat, nervous. "We're partners."
She nodded. "But, Luke. I don't know." Alexis turned around, leaning against the arm of the couch and facing him. "What if that was Lucky tonight?"
"Don't be crazy," he shouted, his eyes angry slants.
"I'm not crazy, Luke. If I was delusional when I was shot, why would I see your son's face? Why not Helena's or maybe even Mikkos? Lucky shot me! It was him. And even if you are his father, you have to know it was just as hard for me to accept that fact!"
He sat up on his knees. "What? You never knew my son!"
Alexis shrugged. "So what. I saw him. I saw him with Nikolas, with his girlfriend, with his sister. I didn't know him inside and out, but all I ever saw in Lucky was innocence. And that night in my room he was anything but," she shouted, her voice cracking as her volume increased. "Do you have any idea what that was like? To know this young man had been so corrupted that he was going to kill me? To know that the woman who controlled my life and made it miserable was responsible?" She stopped yelling as she saw Luke's eyes fill with tears. He was trembling. Alexis realized that he did know how horrible it was. And that maybe, as Lucky's father, imagining it was worse than seeing it.
His shoulders slumped, Luke dropped his chin to his chest. He shook his head and said, "He could never hurt anyone."
Alexis pursed her lips, wiping her eyes. She held her hand in midair. She trembled as her palms slowly descended to his shoulders. She forced him to sit up, shaking him slightly. "It wasn't really him, Luke. He's not thinking for himself." Her words were cut short as Luke dove against her, throwing his arms around her shoulders. He rocked their bodies side to side, the embrace surprisingly comforting to Alexis as well. She found herself winding her arms around his neck and returning the hug.
They held each other for a long moment, tears soaking into the other's clothes. When Luke lifted his head from her shoulder and pressed his forehead to her's, she could feel his breath beating down on her face. Alexis drew in a deep breath. She was anticipating his next move, almost prepared for it. But she didn't want it to happen. It was wrong, it was not the next logical step. It was not going to solve anything. But kissing him seemed to be the only thing her body was capable of at that moment, and Alexis didn't turn her head or pull away when she felt his lips brushed over her's.
It was a slow, tentative coming together of lips and tongue. They explored, tasted and soothed the other. But as Alexis felt his hands gripping her hips and her own fingers digging into his back, the pace increased. His tongue began scraping along her teeth and she felt the dusting of hair on his chin scratch her face. She slipped her hands between their bodies and pushed on his chest, grunting until he fell back.
Luke leaned against the arm of the couch, panting. He licked his lips to taste her on his mouth, reminding himself it was real. Their eyes met and she mouthed, "Don't." He swallowed hard and slowly reached his hand out to touch the pads of his fingers to her cheek. She didn't move. He knelt, his knees sinking into the cushions, and leaned forward. When she closed her eyes and parted her lips, he covered her mouth with his.
**portions of this chapter have been edited out. please e-mail me if you are over the age of 18 and would like to read the rest**
~*~
Jax heard the knob turning and rubbed his eyes, sitting up from the couch. He released a deep breath when she walked into the room, leaning against the door to seal it shut. "Alexis," he sighed, standing up and quickly crossing the floor.
She moved to the side as he approached, dodging his outstretched arms. Alexis kept her head bowed to the ground. "Hi," she stammered quietly.
"Hi," he mimicked her tone. "Where have you been? I was so worried."
Alexis looked up, biting her lip to stifle the tears she felt stinging her eyes. She moved her eyes around the room and saw candles lining the walls and on nearly every piece of furniture. They were melted down to only a few inches, the flames flickering and fading as time passed. "I'm sorry," she told him, shrugging her shoulders. She pulled her jacket around her body and hoped there were no traces of water on her clothes. She had tried her best to brush her hair in the elevator and apply enough makeup not to seem ragged and as though she had been shot at, ran across town and slept with Luke. "I got caught up at Wyndemere and then a client..." As she began to lie, Alexis simply stopped providing an explanation.
He nodded and moved toward her. "Can I get you anything?"
She shook her head. "I just had a rough day. But I'm really glad you're home."
"Me too. Maybe-"
"I think I'm going to go to bed." Alexis turned to face the stairs, slowly making her way to her bedroom. She could hear Jax's feet rustling across the carpet. She stopped and said, without looking at him, "I'm really tired." She waited until she could hear him move back and continued toward her room.
Jax watched Alexis slip inside her bedroom, offering him a weak smile as she shut the door. He waved but was positive she hadn't even seen the gesture. He shrugged and walked around the room, blowing out the candles one by one until he was bathed in darkness.
~*~