Chapter 5

So much had changed in the two years she had been gone. Port Charles had been her home for so long yet nothing was familiar anymore. Everything had changed. Relationships she thought would last forever were gone… friendships she assumed would strengthen crumbled. Shaking these thoughts out of her head she reached for the one thing that had remained constant in her time away… she called the one person who remained constant in her heart.

Liz- [softly] Jason…
Jason- [softly] Liz…
Liz- How… is everything ok there?
Jason- Yeah but…
Liz- But?
Jason- I miss you…
Liz- [smiling] I haven’t been gone that long.
Jason- Still…
Liz- Well… I miss you too.
Jason- [smiling] Good… how long do you think you will be there?
Liz- [softly] I don’t know.
Jason- Is she ok?
Liz- Not really but she will be.
Jason- Because you’re there…
Liz- [smiling] I think the only people my presence effect are you and Elena.
Jason- [smiling] Maybe…
Liz- That sounded real convincing.
Jason- [laughing] I do try.
Liz- [laughing] That’s trying…
Jason- [laughing] Well…
Liz- How is Elena? She’s ok isn’t she? I mean I know she’s been fussy because of her teeth the last few days and…
Jason- She slept ok but I don’t think I’m going get much sleep tonight again.
Liz- Again? You couldn’t sleep last night?
Jason- Not really…
Liz- Why?
Jason- Because you weren’t next to me.
Liz- Aww… I’ll be back before you know it.
Jason- I hope so…
Liz- What is Elena doing now?
Jason- She’s sleeping.
Liz- [softly] Oh…
Jason- You didn’t ask me what I was doing.
Liz- Oh… what are you doing?
Jason- Waiting for you.
Liz- [smiling] Keep talking like that and you’re gonna make me leave now.
Jason- [smiling] Really?
Liz- [laughing] Yeah…
Jason- Well let me see what I can do…
Liz- Jason… can I ask you something?
Jason- Anything…
Liz- This is going to sound crazy but…
Jason- But…
Liz- What do you miss about me?
Jason- That’s not crazy.
Liz- Well… depends on who you ask.
Jason- I guess…
Liz- Answer the question.
Jason- What do I miss about you… everything.
Liz- Everything?
Jason- Yeah.
Liz- Like what?
Jason- Let me see… I missed the expression you normally have when the sun comes flooding through the window waking you from your sleep.
Liz- Really…
Jason- I missed hearing you pad down the hallway to look in on Elena and me in the morning.
Liz- You know I do that?
Jason- Yeah… I look forward to it.
Liz- Why?
Jason- Because I know I will be seeing you.
Liz- [softly] Oh…
Jason- I miss something else.
Liz- What?
Jason- You holding Elena singing her to sleep.
Liz- You miss my singing?
Jason- Of course…
Liz- [smiling] I know for sure that you love me now.
Jason- You weren’t sure?
Liz- Yeah I was sure… but the fact that you can actually say that you miss my singing… there’s no doubt now.
Jason- Well I sorta remember it helping me a while ago.
Liz- My singing helped you… when… better yet how?
Jason- Well… if I remember correctly it gave me incentive to get up and out of that room so I wouldn’t have to listen to it anymore.
Liz- [laughing] Very funny…
Jason- [laughing] Yeah it was wasn’t it?
Liz- I guess so.
Jason- Seriously… do you want to know what I miss most about you not being here?
Liz- Is this another joke?
Jason- No… I’m serious this time.
Liz- What do you miss?
Jason- You breathing…
Liz- Breathing?
Jason- Yeah… late at night when all the lights are off and you and Elena are sleeping… you are lying in my arms and I listen to you while you are sleeping…
Liz- Why?
Jason- Because when I have you in my arms and I hear you breathing beside me I know that everything I want and everything I need I already have.
Liz- That’s why I love you.
Jason- Why because I listen to you breathe?
Liz- No because you say the right things at the right time.
Jason- Like I said before… I do try.
Liz- [softly as she stifled her yawn] Good…
Jason- You’re sleepy aren’t you?
Liz- Just a little.
Jason- Then go to bed and I’ll talk to you tomor…
Liz- I don’t want to stop talking to you yet?
Jason- Why not? You’re sleepy and…
Liz- [softly] I miss hearing you breathe too.
Jason- Really?
Liz- Yes…
Jason- Well since we can’t be next to each other we can do the next best thing.
Liz- What?
Jason- Leave your phone on…
Liz- For what?
Jason- And lay it next to you so I can hear you…
Liz- [whispering] Breathing…
Jason- Yeah something like that.
Liz- Jason…
Jason- Yes?
Liz- [softly] I love you.
Jason- I know. Goodnight Elizabeth.
Liz- Tell Elena that I love her too.
Jason- I will.
Liz- Goodnight Jason.
Jason- Goodnight… [as she slowly took the phone away from her ear] oh and Elizabeth…
Liz- Yeah?
Jason- I love you too.
Liz- [smiling as she softly replied] I know.
Jason- Good…
Liz- Good…

Hearing Jason on the phone patiently listening as she fell asleep Elizabeth finally closed her eyes with a small smile on her face.

Gia thought long and hard about the things Elizabeth said and needing time to digest everything Gia ran a hot bath filled with the bubble bath Nikolas had bought her. Soaking letting the thoughts come as they may the ringing of the phone interrupted her pulling her out of the trance the warm water had put her in. Smiling she reached for the phone knowing who was calling.

Gia- [smiling] Hello…
Nikolas- Hey Spark…
Gia- Spark? I don’t know a Spark…
Nikolas- [smiling] Oh I’m sorry… hey Sparky.
Gia- That’s better… How are you doing?
Nikolas- I’m missing you.
Gia- How much do you miss me?
Nikolas- Immensely…
Gia- Good…
Nikolas- Do you miss me?
Gia- Umm let me think about it…
Nikolas- [after a moment’s silence] Well…
Gia- Yeah… I miss you too.
Nikolas- How much?
Gia- Immensely…
Nikolas- Good… what are you doing?
Gia- Do you really want to know?
Nikolas- Yes…
Gia- Do you want to know what I’m wearing too?
Nikolas- [smiling] Only if you want to tell me.
Gia- [laughing] I’m not wearing anything.
Nikolas- Nothing?
Gia- Nope… I’m in the bathtub.
Nikolas- Are you?
Gia- Yes…
Nikolas- What happened?
Gia- Why would you ask that?
Nikolas- You told me that you take baths when something is bothering you and you want to soak the problem and worry away.
Gia- [quietly] Oh…
Nikolas- So what’s the problem this time?
Gia- Nothing… don’t worry about me. How is Juan? Is everything working out as it should?
Nikolas- How can I not worry about you? Gia tell me what’s wrong with you…please…
Gia- You really want to know?
Nikolas- Yes…
Gia- [softly] You’re not here.
Nikolas- I could be…
Gia- How?
Nikolas- Imagine me there…
Gia- Huh?
Nikolas- [smiling] Think about me and it’ll be like I’m there.
Gia- That won’t work…
Nikolas- How do you know?
Gia- I’ve been thinking about you all day and the only thing it makes me do is miss you more.
Nikolas- You’re not thinking about me in the right way.
Gia- What do you mean?
Nikolas- Think about me in the tub with you right now.
Gia- What?
Nikolas- Imagine me there with you…
Gia- Doing what?
Nikolas- I’m in the tub lying behind you watching as the water washes over your body.
Gia- What are you saying to me?
Nikolas- Nothing…
Gia- Nothing?
Nikolas- I’m too busy thinking about tasting you.
Gia- [softly] Tasting me?
Nikolas- Yeah…
Gia- [softly] Where?
Nikolas- [smiling] On your shoulder blade that sticks out begging me to kiss it. Or that little spot on the back of your neck that if I barely graze you erupt in a fit of giggles. Then again maybe it’s the curve of your breasts that I've been fantasizing about since I left.
Gia- [softly] Nikolas…
Nikolas- You know what I’m talking about don’t you.
Gia- [breathlessly] Nik…
Nikolas- Think about me kissing you… touching you… making love to you…
Gia- [softly] Ok…
Nikolas- But then again there are other things I think about... better yet you can think about…
Gia- I’m almost too afraid to ask…
Nikolas- It’s not bad…
Gia- What else are you… what else can I think about?
Nikolas- How much I love you.
Gia- [softly] I love you too.
Nikolas- Or you can think about how much I miss you.
Gia- [softly] I miss you too.
Nikolas- You can… hell I think about how much I want to be with you.
Gia- Nikolas…
Nikolas- I think about how much I want to hold you in my arms.
Gia- I want that too…
Nikolas- I’ll be home soon…
Gia- I hope so…
Nikolas- I know so… I love you…
Gia- I love you too.
Nikolas- Now get out of that tub Sparky before you get all wrinkly.
Gia- [laughing] Ok your highness.
Nikolas- I love you…
Gia- [smiling]You already told me that.
Nikolas- Just telling you again so you don’t forget it.
Gia- [smiling] Ok…
Nikolas- [after a moment’s silence] Well…
Gia- Well what?
Nikolas- I’m waiting…
Gia- For what?
Nikolas- For you to say that you love me too.
Gia- Oh ok…
Nikolas- [after a moment’s silence] Well…
Gia- [laughing] Well what?
Nikolas- [laughing] Gia…
Gia- [smiling] I love you too Prince Nikky.
Nikolas- [smiling] Princess Sparky… sweet dreams…
Gia- They will be…
Nikolas- How do you know?
Gia- Because they will be about you.
Nikolas- Good… I love…
Gia- [smiling] Do we have to go through this again?
Nikolas- [laughing] Go to bed…
Gia- Ok… and don’t be having those freaky thoughts about me unless you are here and you can wake up and show me exactly what you were dreaming about.
Nikolas- [smiling] Well look at it this way… when I come home I’ll have a lot to show you.
Gia- Yeah… I know…
Nikolas- Go to bed Sparky.
Gia- Go to bed Nikky.

Rising out of the water Gia quickly dried herself going to bed with thoughts of Nikolas on her mind.

Chapter 6
~Kelli's~
The next morning Emily, Lucky and Deanna gathered for breakfast at Kelly’s. Promising Nikolas they would look out for Gia while he was gone they decide to invite her to join them for breakfast Kelly’s.

Deanna- This… this looks like a good table right here.
Lucky- Yeah I guess… come on let’s sit down.
Deanna- Ok… do you want to order now?
Lucky- No… we’re… I’m waiting on someone.
Deanna- Who?
Lucky- [angrily] Does it matter?
Deanna- [looking down as she spoke softly] No…
Lucky- I’m… I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to talk to you that way.
Deanna- [softly as she continued to look down] I know…
Lucky- Dee… [softly touching her hand] Dee… look at me please… Deanna- [slowly looking up at Lucky] Lucky…
Lucky- I just want to tell you… [shaking his head] I promise you I’m changing. Everything… everything I’ve been doing lately I’m so sorry… I never meant to hurt you and I won’t do it again.
Deanna- I know…
Lucky- I promise you that.

As she slowly nodded her head Lucky leaned across the table and gently kissed her. As their kiss deepened Emily walked into Kelly’s.

Emily- [clearing her throat] Hey…hey guys… mind if I interrupt?

Quickly breaking away Lucky stood smiling to embrace her.

Lucky- [smiling] Sorry about that… hey Em…
Emily- [smiling] Hey Lucky… Deanna…
Deanna- [softly] Emily…
Emily- Have you guys ordered yet?
Lucky- Naw… we were waiting for you.
Emily- Well aren’t I the special one.
Lucky- Yes you are…
Emily- [smiling] Thank you… so do you all want to order now?
Deanna- I guess…
Lucky- Well… actually we’re waiting on one more person.
Emily- Who?
Lucky- I told Nik… I promised Nikolas that I would look out for Gia while he was gone and I was going to invite her to join us this morning.
Emily- Why do we have to put up with her?
Lucky- Because she’s my brother’s girlfriend.
Emily- So…
Lucky- She means a lot to Nikolas and regardless to how much we like or dislike her we still have to try to get along with her for Nikolas’s sake.
Emily- [shaking her head] Maybe you do…
Lucky- [softly touching her hand] We do…
Emily- [shaking her head] Maybe… What… what time is she getting here?
Lucky- I’m not sure.
Emily- [rolling her eyes] Oh yeah I forgot the world revolves around Gia Campbell…
Deanna- [softly] I like… I like Gia…
Emily- [shaking her head at Deanna] You would… [looking at Lucky] how long do we have to wait for the Queen?
Lucky- I have to call her…
Emily- Ugh… can’t we just meet her later or something.
Lucky- Come on Em… this is for Nikolas.
Emily- Whatever… then go and call her.
Lucky- Can you do it?
Emily- No…
Lucky- Please Em…
Emily- I hate her…
Lucky- Em…
Emily- She just irks the hell out of me.
Lucky- [touching her hand again] Please…
Emily- [looking at Lucky] Lucky…
Lucky- [softly smiling] Please…
Emily- [sighing] You better be glad I like you…
Lucky- [smiling] Thank you…
Emily- [looking back at Lucky laughing] Whatever… and she better be nice on the phone.

Going to the pay phone in the corner she slowly dials Gia.

[After a few rings] Gia- Hello…
Emily- Hello Gia…this...this is Emily...
Gia- Yeah…
Emily- How are you doing?
Gia- I’m ok… just missing Nikolas a little.
Emily- I’m not surprised…
Gia- Well… [after Emily was silent for a while] do you want something?
Emily- Excuse me?
Gia- Look I’m not trying to be rude or anything…
Emily- [muttering] That’s a first…
Gia- [ignoring her comment] But I was in the middle of something.
Emily- Oh… I was wondering…
Liz – [stopping suddenly realizing she was on the phone] Gia do you…
Emily- What… I mean who was that?
Gia- No one… what did you want?
Emily- I could have sworn…
Gia- Emily… were you calling me for a reason or what?
Emily- I was calling to see if you wanted to come to Kelly’s for breakfast since Nik isn’t there or…
Gia- Thanks for the offer but I’m ok…
Emily- You sure because Lucky and…
Gia- I’m sure… as matter of fact I already ate so… you all go ahead and eat your breakfast. Maybe we can meet up some time later.
Emily- Are you sure no one is there because…
Gia- It was the television…
Emily- The TV?
Gia- Yeah I had it up too loud for my own good. Nikolas always talks about how loud I have it… I guess he was right after all.
Emily- Yeah I guess…
Gia- Thanks for calling… I’ll umm get back to you on doing something later ok…
Emily- [slowly] Ok…
Gia- [rushing off the phone before Emily asked more questions] Ok bye…
Liz- Emily…
Gia- Yeah…
Liz- Did she hear me?
Gia- I think so but I tried to cover...
Liz- How long do you think it will be before the rest of Port Charles will know I’m here?
Gia- I don’t know… she didn’t come right out and ask if it was you…
Liz- But…
Gia- But… maybe you should leave before they all descend on the cottage.
Liz- I’m not going anywhere. I have no reason to run or hide. I came back to visit a friend who needed me. What’s so wrong about that?
Gia- Nothing… but I don’t want… I don’t want you to have to deal with all their questions.
Liz- Gia… I’m here because you needed me… and yeah I’m not exactly looking forward to a bunch of questions flying from all directions but if that’s what I have to deal with then so be it.
Gia- Come on Liz…
Liz- [shaking her head] Gia…

~ Kelly’s ~

Slowly back toward Lucky and Deanna Emily did little to hide the confusion on her face. Something was definitely up with Gia but before she had the chance to figure out what Gia had hung up on her. As she sat down Lucky picked up on her obvious confusion.

Lucky- Em… what’s wrong?
Emily- I’m not sure…
Lucky- What do you mean?
Emily- Gia…
Lucky- What did she say?
Emily- Nothing…
Lucky- What do you mean nothing… she had to have said something to make…
Emily- I asked her if she wanted to come over and…
Lucky- And…
Emily- That’s just it… the second after I asked her everything changed…
Lucky- What do you mean?
Emily- I could have sworn…
Lucky- What?
Emily- I could have sworn that there was someone there with her.
Lucky- Are you trying to tell me that Gia might be cheating on my brother?
Emily- [shaking her head] No… at least I don’t think so…
Lucky- Then what are you saying?
Emily- It wasn’t so much that I heard a voice… but more so the voice I heard…
Lucky- [shaking his head] Em you’re confusing me… what was so special about "this" voice? Who was it?
Emily- [looking at Lucky intently] I could be wrong… I mean I probably am… but I could have sworn that I heard Elizabeth’s voice…
Lucky- [softly] Elizabeth…
Emily- Yeah… and the second I tried to ask Gia about it she got all weird on me… I mean there’s no way it could have been Elizabeth. No one has talked to her since she left.
Lucky- She and Gia were friends…
Emily- Lucky that was almost two years ago. Do you really think Gia would still be in touch with her. Nikolas certainly hasn’t said anything to the fact that they might possibly know where or even talk to Liz still.
Lucky- He hasn’t but…
Deanna- [standing to leave] I…I’m gonna go…
Lucky- No…
Deanna- Lucky I have to…
Lucky- [taking her by the hand] Deanna… We…we came her to have breakfast and that’s what we are going to do.
Deanna- [shaking her head] Lucky I don’t…
Lucky- [tightening his hold on her hand as his voice hardened] Sit the hell down…
Emily- Lucky…
Lucky- [still tightly holding her hand yet changing his voice again] I mean… Deanna please… I want… I want you to stay and have breakfast with me. Please…
Deanna- [softly speaking seeing the look in his eyes] Ok Lucky…
Lucky- [faking a smile] So you’re gonna have breakfast with me right?
Deanna- [looking down] Yes…
Lucky- Good… come on let’s order… I’m starving.

Lucky and Emily continued to talk about Elizabeth’s possible return and possible friendship still with Gia. And their conversation continued Deanna remained silent watching as Lucky tried best to hide his growing anger. With the mere mention of Elizabeth’s name Deanna saw all the rage and anger Lucky had fought so hard to control and hide coming back. And earlier when he tightly held on to her hand imploring that she stay she knew what would soon come. Conflicting emotions clouded his eyes as she stared into them. Confusion, disappointment, sorrow, hurt, anger, and rage fought a battle within him daily and she knew soon that she too would be facing them as well. Emily nor Lucky spoke to her over breakfast, which she was grateful for. As the sat contemplating situations and circumstances they had no control over Deanna was busying thinking of her possible escape. Returning to Port Charles she had plans to start life anew… finding the life and love she knew she deserved and with or without Lucky she would have that.

Lucky- [interrupting Deanna’s musings as he softly touched her arm] Are you coming or not?
Deanna- I’m sorry… what… what are you talking about?
Lucky- [smiling] We lost you for a second there huh?
Deanna- [smiling seeing Lucky’s anger was again under control] Yeah… I lost myself for a second. My mind went off wandering somewhere else…
Lucky- Yeah… I’m… we’re [looking at Emily back to Deanna] sorry about that… we didn’t mean to exclude you.
Deanna- [smiling] I’m ok… it’s not like it was the first time…
Lucky- [softly] I’m sorry…
Deanna- [softly laughing] I was only playing… where… where are you guys talking about going?
Emily- Over Gia’s…
Deanna- Gia’s… why?
Lucky- Well… I…we want to make sure Gia is ok…
Deanna- She said she was fine right?
Emily- Yeah but…
Lucky- But we just want to make sure.
Deanna- This doesn’t have to do with…
Lucky- [shaking his head as he cut her off] This has nothing to do with Eliz… this has nothing to do with Emily thinking she might have heard Elizabeth’s voice… Nikolas asked me to look out for Gia when he was gone and that’s just what I’m trying to do…
Deanna- Lucky…
Lucky- I swear… [softly kissing her on the cheek] I swear that’s all I’m trying to do… if Elizabeth and Gia are still friends that’s between the two of them. I have nothing to say about that…
Deanna- [softly] I know…
Lucky- [smiling as he softly touched her cheek] So are you coming with us or not?
Deanna- [softly smiling] Yeah… I’m coming…
Lucky- [smiling] Good…
Deanna- [smiling] Good…
Emily- [rolling her eyes as Lucky led Deanna out of Kelly’s on his arm] Good…