Luke Spencer’s Office 

Luke Spencer stared at a family portrait on his desk, his light blue eyes dull and listless. “Aw, Angel,” he said quietly. “What the hell happened to us?” He picked the picture up and held it in his hands.

He leaned back in his leather chair and closed his eyes, holding the framed portrait against his chest. Just seven short years ago, they’d been a family. They weren’t perfect—but they’d loved each other.

“Mr. Spencer?”

Luke opened his eyes and sat up quickly setting the picture back on his desk. “Good morning, AJ.”

AJ Quartermaine lowered himself into one of the two brown leather chairs placed in front of Luke’s heavy mahogany desk. “I’ve got the latest progress report on the club in Seattle,” the dark-haired young man said, holding up the manila folder.

Luke rubbed his eyes. “Anything you can’t handle yourself?” he asked.

AJ shook his head. “No.” He leaned forward. “Actually, I was thinking of putting Nikolas Cassadine in charge of it. You know, send him out there for a few weeks.”

Luke gave the younger man a brief smile. “Purely for his own good? You have no ulterior motives?”

AJ’s cheeks stained with red as he looked down. “No…of c-course not. I think that Cassadine is ready for the responsibility.”

“And he won’t be hanging around Beth,” Luke said, a little sparkle flickering in his eyes as he thought of his youngest daughter.

“I’m sure Beth would appreciate it,” AJ admitted. “She’s told me a few times that Nikolas’s attentions are unwanted.”

Luke sighed. “I wouldn’t mind if I thought Nikolas was genuinely interested her. But I think it might have something to do with the fact that I’m leaving the majority of the company to Beth.”

“It is an attractive inheritance,” AJ agreed. He met the eyes of his future father-in-law. “But I don’t need to marry Beth in order to gain it. I hope you know that, Mr. Spencer.”

“No, AJ. I’m sure your affections for my daughter are real,” Luke told him. “And rest assured that whether or not you and Beth don’t marry, what isn’t being left to Beth is being left to you.”

“That’s very kind of you, Mr. Spencer,” AJ told him, “but with your permission I intend on proposing to Beth this weekend at the company party.”

“It’s awfully nice for you to ask my permission,” Luke said. “Most people think its outdated tradition,” he continued, slightly bitter.

“You mean Sonny Corinthos,” AJ said.

Luke glared at him. “I thought I made it clear that his name would never be spoken in my presence.”

“I’m sorry,” AJ apologized. “It won’t happen again.”

Luke took a deep breath and looked away. “Speaking of Lucifer, the latest report come in?”

AJ nodded. “Taggart delivered it personally this morning. Brenda and the girls are still healthy and apparently happy. He included pictures in the report.”

“And he’s still being discrete?” Luke asked.

AJ nodded. “As far as we can tell, Brenda has no idea that you hired a private investigator.”

“Good, I want it to remain that way.” Luke was silent for a few moments. “You’re a good man, AJ. I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather Beth marry.”

AJ’s grin was instantaneous and wide. “Thanks, Mr. Spencer.”

Jason Morgan’s penthouse

Jason Morgan felt the light kisses on his chest and opened one eye lazily. “Knock that off. You know we gotta leave soon.”

Elizabeth Spencer raised her head off his chest and smiled at him. “You in a hurry to get rid of me?” she teased. She sat up fully and threw one leg over his waist, straddling him. “Hmm…” she murmured, shifting a little. “Doesn’t feel that way to me.”

“Elizabeth,” Jason warned. “You’re already late to get back.”

Elizabeth threw her hair back and sighed. “You’re no fun,” she pouted. She slid off him and lay on her back next to him. “How much longer do we have to sneak around?”

Jason rolled onto his side and propped his head on up on his elbow. “Just a few more weeks,” he promised. “Sonny’s trying to negotiate a cease fire with your father. If we can get that, then there won’t be any problem.”

“I don’t know what you’re so scared of,” Elizabeth said, irritated. “You know my father likes you. He’s been trying to get you to work for him for ages.”

“I know. But respecting me and letting me date his little girl are two totally different things,” Jason said. “Besides, isn’t his heart set on you marrying AJ?”

Elizabeth grimaced. “You’d think he would have given up. I mean, I haven’t given him any encouragement. I’m about as bored as can be when we go to dinner.” She met Jason’s cerulean blue eyes. “Your brother can’t take a hint.”

“Half-brother,” Jason reminded her. “And neither can your other boyfriend,” he said without a hint of jealousy.

Elizabeth sighed and stretched her arm over her head. “What can I say?” she purred. “I’m irresistible.”

Jason just laughed and leaned down to nip at her bare shoulder. “I can’t disagree with that.”

She giggled and reached around his neck to pull his head down. He acquiesced easily enough but only for a short kiss. She groaned as he pulled away and rolled to the edge of the bed. “You’re so stubborn,” she grumbled sitting up.

“Hey, we made it this far,” Jason said, pulling on a pair of green boxers. He reached inside his drawer for a pair of jeans. “I really don’t want to get caught now.”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes as she pulled her pink panties over her legs. She reached for the matching bra on the floor. “Caught,” she repeated. “You sound sixteen-years-old.”

“Elizabeth, we’ve discussed this,” Jason said. “And you agreed.”

“I know, I know,” Elizabeth said. She sighed and stood. “Where are my pants?” she asked searching the room.

“They might be downstairs.” Jason grinned and watched her look for her shirt. “I’m pretty sure your shirt is on the steps.”

“We were a little anxious, weren’t we?” Elizabeth said. She wrapped his arms around his jean-clad waist and peered up at him. “I am so sick of having to sneak back into my bedroom like I’m doing something wrong.”

Jason exhaled slowly and rested his hands on her shoulders. “I know. I don’t feel any better about it.”

“Then why do we have to wait for my father’s approval?” Elizabeth asked. “Brenda didn’t. She loved Sonny and she married him. Why don’t I get to make that same choice?”

Jason closed his eyes and raised his face to the ceiling. “Because I’m not okay with you sacrificing your family for me.”

“My family?” Elizabeth repeated. She pulled away from him and shook her head. “I don’t have a family. I’ve got a father who still thinks I’m twelve and a cousin who’s so screwed up she barely knows I’m alive. I’ve got a sister I’m not allowed to claim simply because she fell in love with the wrong person.” Elizabeth whirled around and pointed at him. “You have two weeks, Jason. I’m going to tell my father one way or another.”

“Elizabeth—” Jason stopped and shook his head. “I thought we discussed this. We agreed that—”

“Are you ashamed of me?” Elizabeth demanded. “Is that it? You don’t want anyone knowing about me?” Her eyes narrowed into little slits. “You just biding your time until Robin comes home from Paris?”

“Stop acting like a spoiled brat,” Jason said, sharply. “I’m not ashamed of you and it’s ridiculous to even suggest it. I’m doing this for you—”

“I didn’t ask you to!” Elizabeth shot back. “You’re the one so concerned about my father and his approval, not me.” She broke off abruptly. “Look, I don’t want to argue with you. I’m just sick of feeling like I’m doing something wrong. I know we talked about this—but that was six months ago. My father is pushing for an engagement with AJ—and I just bet AJ’s already asked my father for permission.”

“You’re not going to say yes, so what does it matter?” Jason asked.

“You don’t understand how my father is,” Elizabeth insisted. “You don’t just say no to something he wants. And he’s got this whole elaborate fantasy about handing the business over to AJ, his son-in-law. I don’t think he’s ever quite forgiven my mother for never having a son.”

“So you’d marry AJ if we don’t take this public?” Jason asked. “What? Is that like an ultimatum?”

Elizabeth glared at him for a second before pulling his bedroom door open and storming into the hallway. Jason waited a beat before following her.

She stopped long enough to pull her blue sweater over her head before starting for the stairs. “I cannot believe you said to me!”

She found her jeans on the seventh step from the top and paused to pull them over her legs.

“Elizabeth, don’t leave like this,” Jason said. He fastened his jeans and zipped them. “Come on—”

Elizabeth started hunting for her black boots. “You have no idea how hard it is for me to live at home these days. Skye’s always moaning about how her mother left her and Dad’s still mourning my mother’s death. Scott Baldwin makes weekly appearances to accuse Dad of killing her.” She found one lodged between the couch and the end table and pulled it over her foot. “Nikolas Cassadine keeps asking me out for dinner and AJ’s pressuring me for a commitment and Emily’s got these problems with Zander she expects me to solve.” She found the second underneath Jason’s desk and jerked it on. “And now I got you accusing me of making ultimatums.”

Jason just stood at the bottom of the stairs, letting her ramble on. When he sensed she was finished, he caught her as she headed for the door and pulled to him.

“Hey, hey,” he murmured into her ear. Elizabeth sighed and relaxed against him. “I’m sorry. I think things got a little heated and I don’t want you leaving like this.”

“I don’t like to fight with you,” Elizabeth said. She rested her hands on top of Jason’s at her waist. “I’m so tired of being my father’s little girl.”

“I know.” Jason kissed her neck and released her. “I’ll see you tonight. You sure you can get away for dinner?”

“Dad’s got a meeting, so he and AJ will be gone for hours. They’ll assume I’m asleep when they get home. Skye probably won’t even know I’m not home.”

“Brenda’s excited,” Jason told her. “Can’t stop talking about it.”

“I’m looking forward to it, too. I can’t wait for Dad to grow up and admit that Brenda did okay for herself.” She sighed. “I better go.” She turned around and kissed him one last time before pulling her jacket on and leaving.

Spencer Estate

Skye Spencer crossed her legs and stared down at her glass of whiskey. “You know…it’s not my fault my cousin isn’t receptive to your attention.”

Nikolas Cassadine shoved his hand into the pockets of his black pants and glared at the redhead. “It’s 9:30 in the morning, Skye. Don’t you think it’s a little early for this?”

“Don’t you think it’s a little early for you to be coming around?” Skye shot back. She downed her entire drink before standing—a little unsteadily. “You’re always lurking around. You know—Beth isn’t interested. So lay off.”

Nikolas shook his head. “You’re pathetic, do you know that?”

Skye set her glass down and shoved him weakly. “You don’t have any right to speak to me like that!” she said, grandly. “Just because you got me into bed—once—it does not mean you get to treat me like garbage.”

“Maybe if you didn’t like—”

“Nikolas!”

Elizabeth’s voice effectively shut him up as the young man turned to the doorway of the sitting room, his head snapping to look at the brunette so fast Skye was sure he’d get whiplash.

“Beth, you’re looking marvelous as always this morning,” Nikolas said, giving her a charming smile and kissing her cheek. Elizabeth—freshly showered and dressed in a light blue sundress—smiled.

“That’s very nice of you. I hope I didn’t interrupt anything,” Elizabeth said, looking to her cousin who’d sat back down on the settee. “Skye, have you eaten breakfast this morning?”

“No,” Skye murmured. She pulled her long dark red hair out of her face and peered up at her cousin. “Aren’t you supposed to be sleeping?”

Elizabeth laughed. “Oh, Skye. I rarely sleep past eleven these days. Too much to do.” She took Skye by the arm and practically forced her to stand. “Nikolas, you don’t mind if I steal my cousin away for some breakfast, do you? I’m sure Daddy and AJ must be expecting you at the office.”

Elizabeth led Skye out of the sitting room and down the hall to the breakfast nook. Once they were safely ensconced in there with the door firmly shut, Elizabeth collapsed into a chair, rubbing her eyes.

“He’s resorted to ambushing me in the morning?” she asked, reaching for the pot of coffee to pour in Skye’s coffee mug.

“That man gives me a headache,” Skye grumbled. “I have enough to deal with without worry about him creeping in and out of here. Why don’t you just tell him you have no interest in him whatsoever and be done with it?”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “Believe me—I’ve tried. He’s not taking the hint.” She grimaced. “Neither is AJ for that matter.”

“So you’re still not going to tell me about your secret romance?” Skye asked. “Don’t think I don’t know there’s a mystery man.”

Elizabeth poured herself some orange juice. “Dad already at the office?” she asked, deliberately avoiding the question.

“As far as I know,” Skye replied, sipping her coffee. “He said that my mother called last week.”

Elizabeth slid some scrambled eggs onto her plate and reached for the plate of bacon. “Did you speak with her?”

Skye shook her head. “She just wanted some money. I haven’t talked to her in years.”

“You’re better off,” Elizabeth said. “Aunt Barbara just wasn’t made to be a mother.”

Skye sighed. “I suppose you’re right. Scott came by earlier.”

Elizabeth chewed thoughtfully on her strip of bacon. “You don’t think there’s anything to his idea do you?”

“What, that Luke murdered Laura?” Skye snorted. “I doubt that. The man’s been miserable since she died.”

“I know. But I don’t think Scott’s been mooning over my mother for the past thirty years with no good reason. I’m sure at one time they must have been happy.”

“And then Laura met Luke while working at the one of the clubs…” Skye frowned. “Which one was it again?”

“The Orlando club,” Elizabeth said. She reached for a piece of toast. “She convinced Scott to move up here where she and my father began a torrid affair.”

“And she divorced Scott after Luke divorced his first wife,” Skye finished. “Such a romantic story.”

“Such a horrible story,” Elizabeth corrected. “You’ve got two married people cheating on their spouses. It’s ridiculous and I hope the man I marry understands that if he ever cheats on me, he’s going to lose the ability to reproduce.”

“Ouch,” Skye murmured. “I’d hate to cross you.”

“So what am I supposed to do about AJ and Nikolas?” Elizabeth asked. “I have no intention of marrying either of them.”

“Well, I don’t think Nikolas would dare propose without Luke’s consent and the only man that Luke would consent to is AJ.”

“And if AJ proposes?”

Skye shrugged. “Turn him down.” She leaned forward. “Come on, Elizabeth. Tell me about this guy you’re hot for.”

Elizabeth’s cheeks flushed. “Skye…” She looked away. “He’s incredible,” she finally said. “I’ve never felt like this before. When we’re together, I hate the fact that I have to hide it. And when we’re apart, all I can do is think is about the next time we’ll be together.”

Skye sighed. “It must be nice to have that,” she murmured. She rested her chin on her elbow and stared into space. “To love someone and be loved in return. To feel wanted.”

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