Nik sat in the back of the ambulance, while an attending bandaged his arm. His eyes darted around the surrounding area. The fire at the cabin had been extinguished when the firefighters arrived. IT was, however, nearly completely burned to the ground. Nik shuddered as he thought of how close they came to dying.
LIz stood before Nikolas, glancing nervously at the forest. She was unhurt, the smoke inhalation hadn't even done much damage. She was huddled in a blanket the ambulance attendants had given her.
Nik reached out his arm to her and squeezed her shoulder, trying to convey some reasurrance. She smiled weakly at him, but it didn;t reach her eyes.
Liz heard a voice cry out, "Nikolas!"
It was Laura, back from their trip. She was getting out of her car that appeared at the scene. She ran over to them, "What happened to you two?"
"THere was a fire," Nik told her as she wrapped him in a bone-crushing hug. As he winced in pain, she noticed his broken arm.
"Are you allright?" she asked concerned.
Nik smiled, "I'm fine."
Laura looked him over head to toe before she turned to Elizabeth, "Are you okay Sweetie."
Liz nodded wordlessly giving Laura a weak smile. Laura said, "Oh Honey" and hugged her tightly.
Laura held Liz at arms length, "Do you know what caused it?"
Liz shook her head, "They aren't sure where it was arson or not yet."
"Arson? But who would want to harm you?" Laura sked, shocked at the prospect.
"It's a long story mom," Nik sighed, exchanging glances with Liz.
Laura put her ahnds on her hips, "Well, I have time."
Liz shook her head at nik from behind Laura, "We'll tell you later."
THe attending who had bandaged Nikolas's arm returned, "We need to get Mr.Cassadine to a hospital to have him checked out."
Laura nodded and prepared to get into the ambulance with Nikolas, but Liz grabbed her arm, "No Laura, could you give me a ride home?"
Laura started to dig around in her pockets for the car keys, "here Liz, why don't you..."
Liz exchanged a glance with Nikolas, "No, I don't feel up to driving, plus I need to talk to you."
Laura glanced at Nikolas, "Is taht allright with you?"
He nodded, "I"ll be fine on my own mom, you go with Elizabeth."
Liz smiled at Laura as the abulance doors closed behinf Nikolas, "Just let me give this blanket to the attendings tehn we can go."
Liz left Laura there, standing and staring at the torched cabin, thinking of how her only remaning son had been in there. She became lost in her memories, remembering the time she had lost her child in a fire.
--Flashback--
(Luke on the docks, Laura arrives)
Laura: Luke? What? What is it? What happened? Oh my god. It’s not lulu is it. Tell me she’s alright.
Luke: No.
Laura: No, good.
Luke: It’s Lucky. There was a fire, he’s gone Laura.
Laura: What?
Luke: He’s gone.
Laura: No, no, NO NO NO!!! (She breaks down in Luke’s arms)
Luke and Laura, on pier, on the ground.
Laura:(sobbing) NO! NO!! It's not true! NO! It's gotta be some kind of mistake! It's not true! (getting up) I saw him! I saw him today. They were gonna... Nickolas said they were going to have dinner together... and they were gonna go to Kelly's cause Elizabeth was doing something special...
Luke: The fire was at Morgans garage, Laura. He was upstairs. He must of already been in bed. I'm sure he didn't even wake up...
Laura: No....
Luke: Le inhaled the smoke. Other wise he would of been out of the window, baby.
Laura: NO!!
Luke: Cause he's such a handy little guy. He's always been a handy little guy.
Laura:(sobbing)NO! NO! Not my baby! Oh God! Not my baby! (Both fall to the ground again)
Laura:(still sobbing) Did you see him? Do you know that it was him, because it could be a mistake.
Luke: Well, I haven't seen him yet. I had to get to you first.
Laura: Well...(looks around) Lucky!! Maybe it's a mistake. (getting up)
Luke: Laura, sit down. Sit down. (sit on bench
Laura: OK. OK. OK. How did it start? The fire? How did it start?
Luke: I don't think they know yet.
Laura: Yes they do. Tell me. Was it an accident? Or was it...Luke, did it have something to do with...
Luke: The building was owned by Jason Morgan and Mike Courbin, and they have been having their usual problems...
Laura: With that guy. What's that guy's name?
Luke: Moreno.
Laura: Moreno. Moreno!! He's the one who they think burned down Jason and Sonny's warehouse, right?
Luke: Right. Right.
Laura: Did he know there was an innocent child in that building? Did he know that my SON, my little boy, was in there?
Luke: Laura! Laura! I dont't know what anybody knows, sweetheart. I don't know. But I'm gonna find out.
Laura: If it's mob related, then it could be anybody. Maybe it is a mistake. It could have been any body up there!
Luke: I know. I know that. That's why I'm gonna go see the body. I just want to take you home, and then I'm going to the moruge.
Laura: No, no. I'm going too. I'm going with you.
Luke: (shakes his head no)
Laura: Yes, please. I want to go.
Luke: O.k. OK. (helps Laura up. Start to walk up stairs together
------------
Liz walked up slowly behind Laura. She heard Laura sobbing quietly, knowing she must be reliving the horror of that night, and thinking of how close she came to losing another child.
She put her hand on Laura's shoulder, offering what little comfort she could. Laura didn't even seem to realize she was there, she was locked in her own grevious memories.
Laura wiped away her tears and turned to Elizabeth, "Ready to go Liz?"
Liz nodded, "Yeah, let's go."
SHe followed Laura to the car and got in the passenger side. Laura started the car and turned the car around. She drove down the approach to the cabin.
Liz glanced nervously behind them, as if concerned they were being followed. Laura didn't comment on her behavior but asked, "So, what did you want to talk to me about?"
Liz didn't answer, but kept her eyes on the trees surrounding the road. Laura was puzzled at her behavior. She was even more shocked when Liz grabbed her hand, "Pull over here."
"Huh?" Laura was confused.
"Now!" Liz was insistent. Laura pulled over to the side of the road.
"What is it Liz?" Laura was puzzled, "Are you okay."
"I'm fine," Liz told her and got out of the car, "I need to show you something though."
"Liz?" Laura asked as Elizabeth started to walk into the trees. "Liz, wait!" she unbuckled her seatbelt and started after Liz.
Liz pushed aside branches as she stunbled through the trees. Laura forged after her, scared Liz was losing her mind or something. What reason could she have for leading Laura through the wilderness?
"Where are we going Liz?" Laura asked.
"It's not very far," Liz assured her, snapping a branch.
They came to a stop at a clearing about 100 metres into the forest. There was a shack there, run-down, but still standing. Liz walked up to the shack and opened the door.
"Liz dear, are you sure we want to go in here?" Laura asked nervously, "A recluse may live in here or something."
"Trust me," Liz assured her, walking in.
Laura followed her, glancing about nervously. What she saw before her made her gasp in shock.
THere was a man lying on the cot in the shack, covered in a small blanket. When he heard them enter he turned around and forced himself to his feet.
It was her son Lucky, her dead son Lucky. He was standing before her. THis couldn't be happening, he was dead, she identified the body herself.
"Lucky," she breathed as he walked towards her, "Lucky."
He smiled crookedly, "Hi mom."
Laura shook her head, her hair flying back and forth, "No, this can't be. Your dead, I'm dreaming. Your father told me hallucinated after your death llike this, it just took me awhile longer."
Lucky shook his head, "No mom, it's me. I'm real and I'm alive. I'm Lucky your son and I've come home to you."
Laura reached out and gingerly touched his face, trying to assure herself of his presence. He covered her hand with his and smiled, "I'm alive."
Laura broke into huge sons of joy, tears streamed down her face. Her mascara ran in rivers, but she didn't care. She grabbed her son to her in a tight hug, not wanting to ever let go.
"YOu're alive!" she whispered wondrously, "You're alive!"
Lucky hugged her back tightly, "I am mom, and I'll never leave you again."
I am your child
Wherever you go
You take me too
Whatever I know
I learned from you
Whatever I do
You taught me to do
I am your child
And I am your chance
Whatever will come
Will come from me
Tomorrow is won
By winning me
Whatever I am
You taught me to be
I am your hope
I am your chance
I am your child
Whatever I am
You taught me to be
I am your hope
I am your chance
I am your child
COMMENTS ARE NEEDED FOR THIS LONG IN COMING CHAPTER!!!!!!
© 1999 kathryn_123@hotmail.com
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