One month later....
It was the same nightmare again, invading his sleep, more vivid and more real than before. He saw the man come out of the shadows, saw his hand move quickly to Elizabeth's side, saw the look of startled confusion, shock and pain on her face as she fell to the ground, saw Sonny frantically looking around for him as he called his name. As he awoke he wondered if the vision would ever leave him, either in his waking or sleeping hours. His heart pounded just as it had done so many times in the past weeks when he awoke from the same dream. So far he had been able to hide the nightmares from Elizabeth, but he knew it was only a matter of time before she heard him, sometimes gasping for air, sometimes crying out in his sleep. Sitting up in bed, his first thoughts, as always, were of Elizabeth. He took several deep breaths as he rubbed his eyes with his fingertips before he glanced down to see her sleeping peacefully beside him. He whispered, "Thank God, thank God," as he gently pushed a piece of hair from her eyes and kissed her gently on the cheek. She stirred briefly, but did not awaken when he got out of bed and pulled on his jeans and a T-shirt.
Luke was sitting at the table reading the paper when Lucky entered the kitchen of Jason's penthouse. "Dad, isn't it kind of early for you to be up?"
Luke looked up. "Couldn't sleep, knowing that fuck is still out there."
Lucky nodded and sighed, tired of worrying about where or when Faison would make his next move, and weary from not getting enough sleep. He poured himself a cup of coffee and slumped into the chair across from Luke. He ran his hand through his hair and rested it behind his head, massaging his neck.
"Can I just say you look like shit?"
"You sound like Sonny. He's always so good at telling me that."
"Well, it's true. You're not sleeping either are you?"
"Sometimes. Not much, I guess."
"So why are you up so early?"
"Pretty much the same reason. I knew Faison wouldn't go back to the catacombs, Dad. He's too smart for that. He knows I'm not there and he knows the place is crawling with cops. He's going to lay low for a while. I know how he operates."
"I think you're right. Faison may be sick, but he's also methodical if nothing else. He's not impulsive. He'll strike when we least expect it. That's why we can't ever let our guard down."
Lucky nodded. "I know, Dad. But I've made an important decision."
Luke leaned back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest. "I'm listening."
Lucky stood up and paced the room for a minute and leaned against the counter before speaking. "You know, I've always said that I won't live in fear of him anymore, that I won't let him control my life ever again. But, by staying here isn't that what I'm doing? I have to get out of here, Dad. I'm going stir crazy being here all day and all night. It's like he's still holding me prisoner, you know. And the doctor says Elizabeth is doing a lot better, that she's ready to resume a normal life."
"What are you saying, son?"
"It's been over a month since I got out of that hell hole he had me in and I'm ready to move on. I need to find a job and I want to move out of the penthouse as soon as we can. Jason can't stay next door with Sonny indefinitely. It's not fair to him to give up his home for us."
Luke smiled, marveling at just how much like him his son was. Never one to give in to threats or danger, Luke had always tried to live his life as if they didn't exist. Just always watch your back, that was the cardinal rule of being a Spencer. And always put everyone else's safety before your own.
Lucky looked at him, questioning. "What are you smiling at?"
"Oh, I was just thinking about how much you remind me of myself when I was your age. Ah, but you are so much wiser and more mature than I was then."
He laughed. "I don't know about all that. I've made some mistakes along the way. But all I know right now is that I need to start making a life for Elizabeth and me and stop living in limbo. I know one day Faison will make his move and we just have to be ready for him when he does."
"Well, you know your mother and I have been thinking about things along the same lines. I think it's time we let Jason have his place back, too I think we should all go back to our house. As for a job, no need for you to start looking right away. I've got plenty you can do at the club until you figure out what you want to do."
Lucky shook his head as he sat back down at the table. "I appreciate the offer to stay with you, but Elizabeth and I really need to be alone. We haven't really had any time alone since I came back. You can understand that, right?"
Luke nodded. "Oh yea, I definitely understand that. Why not stay in Ruby's suite of rooms at Kelly's? No one has stayed there since, well, since she died. I think she would want you to have it. I could call Tammy and tell her it's yours. You might get a good deal from the owner, too."
Lucky laughed softly, then thought for a minute. "Yeah, that could work. I will take you up on the job offer though, but just until I find something else."
"Good, good. And you know Sonny will have men on Elizabeth all the time."
"I know. Do you think I'm doing the right thing?"
"You know I do. Your mother and I are more than ready to go home, too."
"Home, who's going home?" They both looked up as Elizabeth entered the kitchen.
Lucky stood up and went to her, putting his arm around her. "Mom and Dad and Lulu are going home. And you and I...well, let's just say I have a surprise for you today." He looked at Luke. "About that phone call you were going to make? Forget it, I'll take care of it in person."
Luke nodded and got up from the table and put his hand on Lucky's shoulder as he walked past him. "Okay, son. Listen, I'm gonna leave you two alone and go see if Laura is awake yet, start getting our stuff together. You be careful."
"I will. Thanks, dad."
After Luke left the room, Elizabeth turned to Lucky. "I don't understand. Where are we going?"
Lucky smiled. "I need to check something out before I can tell you about it. But do you think you can pack a few things and be ready to leave later on today?"
"Lucky, are you sure we should leave?"
"More sure than I've been about anything in a long time. I'm going to go out for a little while, but I'll be back by lunch time."
"You're going out? Lucky, how can you be sure if it's safe?"
"I'll take Jason with me. I'll be fine. We have to stop living in fear and today is as good a time as any to start."
He saw the look of doubt and worry on her face. He bent his knees so that he was looking directly into her eyes as he placed his hands on her arms. "Trust me, baby. Please. I know what I'm doing."
She nodded as he pulled her close and kissed her, gently at first, then with more urgency. Her arms circled his waist as she returned his kiss. Finally he pulled away and smiled. "You're making it difficult for me to leave, you know."
She smiled apologetically. "Sorry."
Lucky put his hands on the sides of her face. "Don't ever be sorry for this. It's the one thing that's gotten me through these long days here."
Lucky and Jason left soon after to check out the room at Kelly's. He had only been outside a few times since coming to stay at Jason's and it felt good.
"God, it's wonderful to breathe fresh air. I'm going nuts being cooped up. Not that I don't appreciate all that you've done for us."
"I know. Lucky, you're sure you want to do this? Cause I don't mind staying with Sonny until we get Faison, no matter how long it takes. You're a lot safer there than out on your own."
"Jason, wouldn't you do the same? Elizabeth and I haven't had any time to be alone together since I came back. I really feel like it's time to start making a life for us. I know both you and Sonny would do the same."
Jason laughed. "You know me too well. And you're too much like me."
"Yea, I think I am. We're never afraid for ourselves, only the people we love."
"Sonny has already said that he'll put as many men on Elizabeth and your mother and Lulu as you want. They'll be as safe as we can possibly make them."
"I know that, Jason, and I appreciate it."
Several hours later, Lucky led Elizabeth into Kelly's where she was warmly greeted by Tammy and several of the regular customers. Tammy asked one of the waitresses to take over for her while she led Lucky and Elizabeth upstairs to the end of the hallway.
"Lucky, what's going on? This is Ruby's old suite."
Tammy handed Lucky a set of keys and kissed both of them on the cheek. "Call me if you need anything?"
Lucky nodded as he unlocked the door and moved aside for Elizabeth to go inside. "Welcome home, baby."
She looked at him, a slow smile forming on her lips. "Home? This is ours?"
"Yep, all ours. I know the owner, remember? Were you ever inside when Ruby was alive?"
"No, only at the door."
"Well, you'll be happy to know that it has a small kitchenette, so you can whip up some of those wonderful meals you're so famous for."
Elizabeth hit him playfully on the arm. "A few things changed while you were away. I'll have you know I've become quite a good cook in the past few years. Your mother and Sonny are excellent teachers."
Lucky put his hand over his heart. "I apologize then, and I look forward to eating your cuisine. Just promise me it will be better than that rice stuff you made all those years ago for me."
Elizabeth laughed, "Oh that was the worst, wasn't it?"
"Yes, it was. The absolute worst. But I loved it because you made it for me." He moved to her and pulled her close as he kicked the door shut with his foot. "So what do you think?"
"I think I like this. I'm just so afraid for you."
"I'll be fine, Elizabeth. I'm not going to let anything happen to either of us again. I promise."
"I hope you're right. But I have to admit, it will be wonderful to be alone, finally. Not that I didn't love being with your parents and Lulu, but...." Her face flushed a bit as she said, "Well, you know, it's been a long time since that night at Sonny's."
"Oh, baby, believe me, I do know, and we're going to make up for lost time very soon. But first, I want to give you the tour."
She kissed him quickly on the lips and turned to survey their new home. There was a small, quaint living room with the kitchenette to the right. On the opposite wall was a door leading to the bedroom and with a small bathroom attached. The rooms were completely furnished with fresh flowers everywhere. "Lucky, where did all these beautiful flowers come from?"
"Tammy must have gone out and gotten them after I told her I wanted the place. Wow, there are so many memories in these rooms."
"Will you tell me about them?"
"Of course I will. I know Ruby is smiling down on us right now, don't you think?" Her eyes filled with tears. "I know she is. She loved you so much, Lucky, and I know she would want to help us. You know, if I know Tammy I'll bet she did a lot more than put fresh flowers all around." She went to the kitchen and opened the cupboards and refrigerator to reveal more food than they could ever eat. She looked at Lucky with tears in her eyes. "Lucky, I can't believe we're really going to be alone. It's going to be so wonderful."
He nodded and took her hand, leading her to the bedroom. "Let's go check out the most important room." They walked in to the bedroom and he sat on the bed, pulling her with him. "Are you tired? You got up early and you've done a lot more today than usual."
"I'm okay, just a little tired."
"Why don't you lie down for a while. I'll go fix us something to eat."
"I'm not hungry yet, but I would like to lie down for a while, but only if you'll lie down with me."
He grinned. "Now there is an offer I can't refuse."
Across the water, in the study at Wyndemere, Faison listened to Stefan Cassadine's protests about his latest scheme, one that he would put into action as soon as he returned from a brief trip to Europe.
"Surely you can't be serious about this latest plan? I must insist that you reconsider."
Faison laughed maniacally. "Insist? You are in no position to insist that I do anything. You work for me, remember? And surely you know that I have not an ounce of sentimentality in my body. I think my current plan is the best one yet. It is one that I have threatened to do repeatedly. The time has come to put that plan in motion."
"If you do, indeed, go ahead with this plan, then I'm afraid I cannot be a willing participant."
"And what makes you think you have a say in this matter? There is always your precious son, or is he your nephew? I never can keep straight which he really is. You wouldn't want anything to happen to him, would you?"
Stefan raised his eyebrow at him. "Are you blackmailing me?"
"I don't blackmail, Mr. Cassadine. I act. And I expect you to give me a full daily report of the Spencer's every movement while I am out of the country. But I must tell you, if you should decide to defect and betray me, I would suggest that you watch your back and that of young Mr. Cassadine, very closely." He stood up and smiled at Stefan chillingly before saying, "Good day," and disappearing into the secret passageway in the walls.