"So, Ms. Davis or Natasha if you prefer, do we have a deal?" Luke Spencer grinned gleefully at Alexis Davis as he pulled out a cigar from his coat pocket. He took a deep smell and relished in the beauty of a Cuban cigar. Pulling out his trusty lighter he pulled the open flame to his cigar and just before lighting it, Alexis leaned over and blew the flame out.

"Don't smoke those smelly things in here, Luke. Having a smoke alarm go off because of it will only hamper my efforts to make things right."

Alexis leaned back against the cushions in the couch feeling the first bit of comfort she'd had in weeks. Joining forces with Luke to save her life felt like making a deal with the devil but then so did a partnership with Helena. She'd been backed into a corner many a times before now but for the first time, she was really and truly trapped. Admitting she was alone was hard, admitting her only real hope for survival was with Luke's help was unthinkable. Alexis fingered the ring tenderly for several moments, almost as a soothing device as she tried to make the choice she dreaded.

"Well?" Luke prodded her as he nudged a little closer.

"You have a deal Luke," Alexis opened her eyes as Luke bounced off the couch in an almost joyful victory.

"Well, let me tell you Ms. Davis, this is going to be a fun show!"

Alexis watched as Luke wandered around the room, murmuring to himself about a plan and she couldn't help but admit that her agreement to help Luke had brought some relief to her.

"Luke, we need to set some boundaries for this...charade."

Luke whirled around, "sting operation Ms. Davis! This is a take no prisoners sting operation and you are going to be my spy. The only thing I ask for is complete honesty. All 'ya gotta do is repeat to me everything Mama Cass says and does and just play along with her 'Dungeons and Dragons' dream world!"

Alexis's stomach did flip flops as she tried to gain some kind of focus in a situation that was moving too fast for her liking and completely out of her hands, but to no avail, she could not mask her intense fear as her hands began to tremble. Horrified, she clutched them together, only then did she notice her breathing becoming shallow and raspy. Noticing the pitcher of water by the dresser, Alexis shakily rose from her seat and staggered across the room. She didn't stop when the room began to spin, nor when her feet began to buckle. She only heard Luke's faint shout as he dashed to catch her when everything went black.

Babe-
Sorry I couldn't hang around to wake you, but I got things to do and places to be. Gimme a call once you've read this, then burn it.

Alexis frowned as she downed the aspirins and water. Grabbing the phone she dialed the number written on the note.

"Luke's, Luke here."

"It's me," Alexis stood up and wandered into the living room, taking a seat on the couch.

Luke's voice softened "hey, sorry I had to book on you like that 'darlin. How are you feeling?"

"What happened Luke?"

"Well, you took a nasty spill, I guess all that game planning got to you," Luke teased. "Anyway, I talked to Jason Morgan, and he's behind us full when we need him."

"You involved Jason Morgan and the mob?"

"Yeah, we figured since the Box-O-hair has moved out of the penthouse across from Jason's, best strategy says that you move in there. You're under close supervision and protection as well as no one getting suspicious when I come for visits."

Luke paused slightly at the silence on the other end of the line, "Alexis, we're going to need Jason if we're gonna do this."

"I'm in alot of danger aren't I?"

Luke gave a surprised chuckle, "you've been in danger since the day you were conceived babe, that's old news."

"People around me are going to get hurt."

Luke frowned, "yeah, that's part of the package. What's the deal Ms. Davis, you already know this."

"You want complete honesty Luke?" Alexis stood up and stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror. "Can you meet me, because I've got a big part of the package that I haven't told you about."

Luke stood up, slightly alarmed, "I'll pick you up in fifteen minutes, get all your crap together and don't leave a crumb behind."

"Sit down," he motions for the dining room table as he takes a seat at the head with Alexis to his right and Luke to his left.

"So what's this big meeting all about?"

Luke nodded to Alexis and she took a deep breath.

"I have a daughter," she said simply, "and if you don't help me, she'll die."

Alexis paused in hesitation, this tidbit alone could send them reeling. Luke sat frozen, almost dumbfounded as he watched Alexis nervously play with her fingers and he remained silent as Alexis rushed forward with her story.

"I haven't seen her in almost four years, I-I can't risk it, for either of us. I was always playing with fire when she was younger, whisking her from place to place for a few days or few months, we were never anywhere for very long. I couldn't trust anybody in the family, not even Stefan. I knew he was devoted to Nikolas always and was closest to me after him, but I didn't dare tell him. Even after the coup, even after Helena became seriously ill, I couldn't tell."

"My god woman, why would you ever bring a child into your family?" Luke's voice was a mixture of disgust and fear as he stared at a woman so close to death herself, for her child, once Helena found out, a similar fate would instantly follow.

"As much fear and unhappiness it brought me at times, there was something that I just couldn't ignore Luke," Alexis's voice had lowered to a whisper, "I wanted this child. I wanted to feel the joy and wonder of watching her grow, I wanted to be there when she smiled, laughed, cried and slept. I wanted to be the one thing that could comfort her, the only thing that could comfort her. I wanted to give her everything she needed and wanted out of life."

"Were you living in some fantasy land doll face? What the hell made you think you could do that? You call it what you want Alexis, I call it selfish and stupid. "

Alexis bristled at Luke's judgment, "wait just one minute! I have EVERY right to have a child no matter what. If you're calling me selfish and stupid, you take a good look in the mirror and take your wife with you. Lucky was conceived and born and raised while you two were on the run from the mob Luke and nothing stopped you from having him. Our situations were identical except that I was running from Helena and you from the mob and that, puts us in the same boat Luke."

Alexis seethed with rage as she glared at Luke. Luke sat back, holding up his hands in defeat but said nothing. Alexis turned to Jason, who had remained silent during the heated battle. He had slowly and methodically sorted through the given information. He stared blankly back at Alexis as she calmed down.

"Do you have anything to add?" Alexis prepared for another onslaught as Jason leaned forward.

"What's her name?" he asked softly.

"Her name?" Alexis was taken aback by his question, such a simple question as wanting to know the name of her child.

"Yeah, she does have one right?" Luke said dryly as Alexis let a self conscious smile escape her.

"Alexandria."

Jason repeated the name and nodded, he seemed satisfied with the name.

Luke, on the other hand, wasn't.

"Alexandria?" he snickered, "weren't feeling too original were you?"

Alexis laughed, this was too easy, "what would you have suggested Luke? Lucky perhaps?"

"Ouch! That hit my right here babe!" Luke placed his hand over his heart as he winced.

"What's her last name?" Jason asked, again softly.

"Wil-I'm sorry," Alexis flustered, "I should already be giving you all the necessary information shouldn't I?"

Jason smiled slightly, "you are, just a lot slower than I expected."

"Okay, well, her name is Alexandria Williams and she-"

"Williams? Why Williams?" Luke interrupted.

"It's a very generic, ordinary name and it's fairly untraceable,"Alexis explained. "She just turned 17 a couple of months ago, she has dark hair and dark eyes, almost black."

Jason nodded as he noted the information in his notebook, "long hair or short?"

Alexis paused, "I-I'm not too sure, it was shoulder length when I last saw her but again, that was four years ago."

"Okay, what about glasses?"

Alexis winced at her lack of information, basic information about her own child, "I don't know, she didn't need them when she was 13, but that might have changed."

"Scars or birthmarks?"

Alexis shrugged wordlessly as she struggled to hold back her tears. She had absolutely no idea what her daughter looked like, realizing that she probably wouldn't even recoginze her if they passed each other on the street.

"Okay, now where is she?"

"Kingston, it's in Southern Ontario, maybe a four hour drive from here."

Jason looked up sharply as Luke sighed.

"What, what's wrong?"

"Ontario is in Canada babe, and that means crossing a border and that means more problems in getting her here. Also, is this kid gonna come with strangers willingly? My bet is no, and if she's anything like you, she'll have to be dragged, kicking and screaming across and that's never a good sign to border guards."

"I don't care, just bring her here!" Alexis said hoarsly.

"We'll go by plane then, I'll arrange it with a private jet now." Jason got up and left for another room.

The room remained silent for a few moments before Luke spoke.

"Alexis, you did the right thing by telling us, you know that right?"

Alexis shook her head, "I don't know, I just want her safe and away from Helena's clutches."

"She will be, I promise." Luke reassured her and instinctively he reached across the table and gently took her hands in his.

"It's all good, everything will work out fine."

Jason came back into the room and grabbed his coat. "Alright, it's all arranged. We lucked out and a plane is leaving in twenty minutes. I've got the address so hopefully, I'll have her here by dawn."

A wash of relief passed over Alexis as she stood up and walked over to Jason. She carefully removed her ring from the necklace.

"Show this to her if she becomes reluctant. She knows what it means and she knows it comes from me."

Jason took the ring and carefully put it in his coat pocket, "you can stay in Sonny's room tonight if you want or any of the others. Renaldo and Peter are here all night, so if you need anything, just ask them."

"Actually, I wanted to move into Katherine's old place. The sooner I get every trace of her removed from the apartment, the better."

"Whatever, it's up to you. Renaldo and Peter are here. I'll call you when we get back."

Jason nodded to Luke before closing the door behind him.

"Well, I guess I'll leave you as well. Call me when the offspring arrives."

Alexis nodded, "thanks Luke."

Luke grinned, "no problemo, partner" he added for effect before shutting the door behind him leaving Alexis in peaceful silence.

She wandered over to the large glass doors and stared wistfully at the moon. "I wonder, what are you thinking of Alexandria?" she said aloud as she leaned against the cold frame. That was all she could do. Wonder, hope and pray that Luke was right, that everything would turn out for the best.

"Well Mr. Man in the Moon, maybe you can answer the $64,000 question. Why does she haunt me? Why does my own mother haunt me?"

Jumping up, the girl shut her window with a bang.

"Grow up Alexandria, silly questions like that get you nowhere."

Agnes stirred restlessly in her sleep, tossing and turning until finally giving up. She opened her eyes and looked to the clock. 2:26am it read and she sighed, being a light sleeper rarely had benefits to it. Grabbing her robe and shoving her feet into her slippers, she shuffled for the door, confident that some warm milk and a good book would soon get her sleepy. As she descended the stairs and made her way down the hall to the kitchen, she stiffened suddenly after hearing a noise coming from the front of the house. Turning around she quietly crept up to the front door and peered out the side window. She grabbed the curtain in fear at the sight of the sleek, black car sitting across the road, hidden by a large tree and the one broken streetlight down the entire street. Agnes watched as the passenger door opened quietly and a young man got out of the car. Shutting the car door, he briskly walked across the street and as Agnes's fear came to reality, he walked up her driveway.

"Anges?" she whispered loudly.

"Alexandria! Stay upstairs!" came Agnes urgent reply as she hovered by the front door.

"What's wrong?"

Alexandria trotted quietly down the stairs to where Anges stood, and peered over her shoulder, noticing with surprise a young man walking up their driveway.

"Who's that?"

Agnes shook her head, "I don't know, I want you to call the police right now Alexandria and don't argue."

Noting the fear in her voice, Alexandria quickly rushed for the cordless phone in the living room.

Anges backed from the window as the young stranger stood in front of the door and rang the bell. Alexandria rushed back to the front, phone in hand.

"Why would he ring the doorbell? Isn't he planning on breaking in?" Alexandria was mystified, what kind of prowler was this?

"Hush, Alexandria, we don't need him hearing us."

"Uh, hello? Don't call the police, I'm a friend," came the voice.

With that plea, the mail slot flap was opened and an object was put through. Alexandria picked it up from the floor and peered at it carefully in the moonlight. Within seconds, she recognized it and gasped.

"Oh my God!"

"What is it child?" Agnes rushed over with alarm.

Alexandria looked at the door "let him in Agnes, he is a friend."

"A friend from school?"

"No, a friend of my mother's."

Agnes's eyes widened with surprise as she hurriedly unlocked the door and slowly opened it.

"Come in."

"That's me, what do you want?"

Jason stared at the young woman, noticing the striking similarities between Alexis and her daughter. They seemed to share the same stubborn frown among other things.

"Your mother has sent me to get you. You're in a lot of danger and it isn't safe for you to be here anymore. We leave tonight."

Alexandria blinked with disbelief, "excuse me? What do you mean I'm in danger?"

Jason sighed with frustration, "we don't have much time, we have to leave in a couple of hours. If you're going to bring anything, do it now."

Agnes held up her hand, "stop right there, you need to explain what's going on or I'm calling the police."

Jason nodded, feeling it would be easier to explain than drag the girl to the car.

"You are Alexandria Williams, you've been Alexandria Williams for the past four years and before that you were Alexandria Peters and before that, Alexandria Black. Your mother is Alexis Davis and your father is unknown but from your school records they were Andrew and Alexis Williams and they both died in a car accident five years ago. Anges McCoy is your mother's aunt, again according to your records and is also your legal guardian. You are a straigh A student except for the B you recieved in Physical Education last year due to your unruly behavior."

If Alexandria was surprised by the detailed information she didn't show it but bristled a little, "I only got the B because I 'accidentaly' wacked my gym teacher's ankle with my field hockey stick. I said I was sorry, she just took it too personally. I even brought her pizza to the staffroom for a whole week until she could walk again and she still holds a grudge."

Realizing the silliness of her tiny rant, Alexandria ducked her head slightly, "you got everything else right though."

Anges grabbed Alexandria's hand, "did Helena Cassadine find out about Alexandria?"

Jason shook his head, "no, but she did find out about Alexis' true identity and that puts Alexandria in the line of fire. That's why we need to leave."

Agnes nodded numbly, she had prayed this day would never arrive. The angry young child that had arrived at her doorstep four years earlier had blossomed into a beautiful young woman. Albeit, she still had problems with authority figures and tended to get into small scraps with other classmates at school, she had turned into a mature and thoughtful individual, much like her mother. Alexis, too, had hoped that she would never have to move her daughter again but had warned Agnes that it could happen, at the drop of a hat. And now, it was happening.

"Wait here, we'll go pack her things."

Alexandria stood by the doorway, unsure of what to say. Agnes smiled, trying to reassure the young girl, but her heart was also breaking.

"Don't you worry about me, it's better this way and don't worry about my safety, Jason has promised me protection and I believe him. You need to go and I will explain to the school and the neighborhood you absence."

Alexandria bit her lip hard, trying desperately not to cry, "I want you to come with me. Come with me Agnes, I need you."

Agnes's voice wavered with sadness, "enough of this talk, I have my quilting club and bowling league and my reading. I'll be fine and so will you. Go!" she urged.

Alexandria hugged the old woman tightly for a few moments and gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek before pulling back.

"I'll be back one day, I promise."

Agnes nodded and handed Alexandria a framed picture of the two, taken a few months before at a fairground. Both were laughing, their arms around one another, showing the tight bond that had formed between the two over the years.

"Take this with you, I have the copy in my room. If you ever feel lonely or miss me, and I know you will, look at the picture and remember the good times you had here."

Alexandria nodded before giving Agnes one last hug.

"It's time to leave," Jason said delicately.

Alexandria squeezed Agnes's hand, "I love you."

"I love you too, now go."

Agnes watched as Jason and Alexandria walked down the driveway and across the street to the waiting car. The driver started the car as Jason opened the door and Alexandria turned and gave one last wave to Agnes before getting into the car. Agnes waved back as the door shut and Jason got into the front seat beside the driver. Agnes watched as the black car pulled slowly from the curb and disappeared quietly down the street and into the night.

Agnes shut the door and sat on the edge of her bed after what felt like the longest climb up the stairs to her room, the house was once again hollow and Agnes clutched the picture that sat on her bedside table. Now that Alexandria was gone, probably for good, Agnes bowed her head and began to silently cry.

Jason nodded to himself, she needed some time alone, to adjust. He pressed the button on the door and the dark window that devided the front seat from the back, slowly raised and as the car pulled onto the highway, Alexandria's face crumpled as she allowed the tears to fall from her eyes and stream down her face, she wouldn't share her grief with anyone, she would cry alone she firmly decided as the car travelled down the almost deserted highway, taking her back to a life and a mother that had left her four years earlier.

"Nervous aren't ya?"

Luke grinned at Alexis before crunching down on one of the many ice cubes he'd eaten in the past hour. He'd come over to her Penthouse in a shot once Alexis had phoned and informed him that the plane had just landed in Port Charles. Now he was loudly chewing ice and enjoying her pacing with offhand remarks but Alexis managed to resist the temptation to retort.

"No, of course not," Alexis reassured him, it was either him or herself, she couldn't honestly tell which one. "Oh God, I feel ill, I think it's time I get aquainted with the bathroom." Alexis covered her mouth before making a beeline for the corridor until Luke blocked her access.

"Hold it right there sugar plum, you need to get a grip on yourself."

"Move it Luke, unless you want Lasagna from last night all over your shoes." Alexis closed her eyes and tried to soothe her jumpy stomach.

"Take it easy now, you need some fresh air, " Luke grabbed Alexis's arm and led her to the balcony and opened the glass doors. A cold gust of fresh air struck Alexis and she shivered, huddling unexpectedly beside Luke.

"Now breathe woman," he ordered. Alexis complied and took a few deep breaths, slowly at first until she settled into a steady, comfortable rythym. She had to admit, she was feeling better with every breath, unfortunetaly she was also getting colder.

Luke had tried to ignore her growing shivers, but finally gave in, and whipped off his coat and hung it gently on her shoulders. Grateful, Alexis grabbed the new warmth and pulled it close.

Luke shrugged slightly, now he was getting cold and he'd given his coat to a woman, a Cassadine woman to top it all off. "I'll be inside," he said gruffly.

"You can do this, you're just scared and that's okay too, but you wouldn't be here if you couldn't and since you are, you can." Jason handed Alexandria's bag to Renaldo "just put it inside the doorway," he instructed before turning to Alexandria.

"Ready?"

Alexandria took a deep breath, "no guts, no glory" she whispered and nodded to Jason.

"You look just like her," was all he could muster. Alexandria smiled quickly but avoided his eyes before peering behind him to get a look at the room.

Alexis heard the door open and quickly shrugged Luke's coat off as she re-entered the apartment. She slowly approached Alexandria, the daughter she hadn't spoken to, let alone seen, in four years.

"Alexandria?" she whispered.

Alexandria's body instantly reacted to a voice she hadn't heard in so long. Her mother's voice calmed her, almost soothingly as only a mother's could, even after the long separation.

"Mother?"

Tears welled up in Alexis's eyes as she nodded. She took an uncertain step forward as Alexandria came into the apartment. Alexis suddenly became aware that Luke and Jason were also in the room and her eyes turned to them. Reading her instantly, Luke nodded and quietly moved to the open door and Jason, also sensing the need for privacy, quickly followed him.

"We'll be at Morgan's" Luke said quietly before carefully closing the door behind him.

"What do you think they'll do?" Jason queried as the two men stood outside the apartment.

Luke shrugged, "I don't know man, I can read Alexis loud and clear, but junior? Got no clue."

"Why don't we sit down?" Alexis motioned for the couch as she took a seat. Alexandria sat down and turned to face Alexis.

"How are you?" Alexis asked.

"Good, well, tired really, and you?"

"Scared," Alexis admitted.

Alexandria nodded in agreement, "me too. I don't understand what's going on."

Alexis sighed, "there's alot to tell you, it might be best to explain it to you once you've rested."

Alexandria nodded and the room filled with silence again. Alexandria yawned loudly and both women laughed nervously. Loosing her nerve, Alexandria rose, "well, I guess I should go and get some sleep, we got a big day tomorrow right?"

Alexis nodded, "huge day." Biting her lip slightly, she watched as Alexandria walked to the door and open it.

"Alexandria!" she said suddenly and rushed up to her.

Alexandria whirled around and shut the door behind her becoming slightly alarmed at her mother's urgency. Alexis tentatively raised her hand and gently stroked Alexandria's cheek.

"Sleep well," she said softly as she gazed into Alexandria's dark eyes.

Alexandria simply nodded and turned slowly and left the room. Alexis sat down at the couch, suddenly tired.

"At least she didn't scream and throw things," she thought to herself.

"Jason?" she asked uncertainly.

Hearing his name, Jason ushered Luke out of the study and into the living room.

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah, I'm just tired, could you show me to my room?"

Luke smiled and headed to the door, "I'll show myself out, see you in the morning kiddo."

"That's Luke, he's a friend," Jason explained. "Come on, I'll show you around this place. "

"How long will I be staying?"

"For now? This is your home, so I'll be getting you a key and everything, but let's just get you settled for now."

Jason led her down a long hallway, "this is where I sleep," he pointed at one door, "and this is your room."

Jason opened the door and flicked the light on. The room was medium sized, with a double bed, dresser and desk in it. Beside the bed was a nightstand. Alexandria noticed the adjoning bathroom. Sitting down on the made bed, she smiled, her first genuine smile since this whole fiasco began and Jason instinctively responded with a warm smile of his own.

"I'm right across the hall, so if you need anything, just ask me okay?"

"Sure, and thanks Jason."

Jason nodded, "goodnight."

"Goodnight Luke, we'll talk in the morning."

"What, no thank you?" Luke asked in a wounded tone.

Alexis chuckled "thanks Luke, I owe you."

"You don't sound very thankful," Luke pouted playfully.

Alexis raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms in front of her, "what kind of thanks would you like?"

"What are you offering Ms. Davis?"

Narrowing her eyes, "my word. I'll keep up my end of the deal, how's that?"

"Sold, to the beautiful attorney in the black power suit." Luke joked, "seriously, she seems like a great kid Alexis."

Alexis's eyes lit up, "yeah, she is, isn't she?" she said softly. Impulsively, Alexis leaned over and hugged Luke.

"Thank you Luke Spencer, thank you for bringing my daughter back to me."