SoapQueen89

Colored me surprised too! DAYUM! :o

CUFFS EPISODE 12 "Eight years ago, I worked for this woman here in Port Charles. Her name was Faith Roscoe. I was young, stupid, and out for revenge against my ex and the guy who stole her away from me. Faith knew that and used me to get what she wanted." Zander stopped pacing and looked towards Jack. "I see." he replied as he suckled on his coffee. "Anyway, Faith wanted something that Nikolas had. A brand new freighter. She wanted to transport her drug shipments with it and Nikolas wasn't about to give her his permission to use it, even though he owed her millions of dollars. Faith told him she'd take it in trade for the money he owed her. This back and forth went on for a few months, and finally Faith was just sick of Nikolas's stalling. She ordered me to remove Nikolas permanently. I went to Wyndamere fully aware of what I was doing and why I was there. I found Emily and Nikolas in the catacombs that run the full dimensions of the mansion. I followed them to the study and waited for the right time to appear. What happened after that wasn't suppose to happen. I had it all planned out, down the last detail, nothing was to go wrong. But something did go wrong, and I have held the guilt ever since." Jack listened to his partner re-live that night that had him so shaken. "Zander, what happened after you appeared to them?" Zander rubbed his hands over his face and stared coldly at Jack. "I don't really remember what Nikolas was shouting at me, it was really all a blur till I heard the shot. She wasn't suppose to get hurt, Jack!" The tone in Zander's voice changed, from calm and cold to painful and agitated. Jack got up from the chair and went to him. He stared into Zander's eyes. "What happened?" he said calmly hoping to keep his partner calm enough to tell him the rest. "She died in my arms, Jack!" Zander broke down and sobbed as his knees buckled and he went to the floor. "You shot her? You're ex?" Jack went to comfort him and went down on his knees to the floor. "She was so vibrant, full of life, Jack. I took that all away that night. My stupid mistake took her life!" Zander sobbed uncontrollably as Jack wrapped his arms around his friend. "It's okay, Zander. It was a long time ago, you've changed your life for the better now." Zander looked up at Jack and wiped the tears from his face. "I shot her Jack and I can't take that back! God I wish I could, but I can't! I have tried so hard to forget but it's been nearly impossible." Jack helped Zander to his feet. "First thing you have to do is forgive yourself, Zander. You can't keep this inside of you, it's going to destroy you from the inside out." Zander stumbled to the bed and sat down. "Don't you think I know that, Jack! I do! I just don't know what to do anymore, it's eating at me for the past 8 years. I just can't shake it!" Jack didn't know how to help him, he sat and listened to Zander, hoping it would be enough. "Tell me about her Zander. What was she like? I assume you love her still, tell me about your life together." Jack didn't know if would help but remember her in life might help him move past not having her in his life now. Jack noticed the empty bottle sitting on the nightstand. He got up from the chair and went to throw it away. "Is this how to solve the problem, Zander?" Zander looked at the bottle in Jack's hand. "It's the only way I know how, Jack." Jack threw the empty bottle of Jack Daniels in the small waste paper basket and continued to question Zander like he was a suspect. ""It's been 8 years, Jack. I was heavily into the mob at that time, working for Faith who had connections with Lorenzo Alcazar, a known International criminal ... Jack all this disappeared in a matter of hours. There was no proof of anything. Emily was dead. End of story." Zander was getting annoyed with all of Jack's questions about that night. He just simply wanted to forget that night, he didn't want to re-live it over and over again.So what happened afterwards? I mean, what happened to Nikolas?" "Nikolas?" Zander looked up at Jack who genuinely seemed concerned for him. "Yeah, Zander. Nikolas. Is he still living here in Port Charles? What happened between the two of you? I mean, you obviously didn't spend any time in jail for this. Care to tell me how you got out of it?" Zander stood up from the floor and walked towards the bed. He sat down on the edge and held his head in his hands. "Nikolas just wanted it all to go away. He didn't want the media to have field day with the incident and as far as he was concerned he knew I didn't do it on purpose. He was upset and quite angry with me, but mostly at himself for allowing it to happen, cause he could of stopped it before it happened. He blamed himself for it more so then he did me for pulling the trigger. As far as I know he moved back to Greece shortly after the funeral. I wasn't charged with anything, with Nikolas gone and not willing to press charges or to say what happened in that room that night, there was really nothing that could be done to me or to anyone else." Jack stepped closer and sat down on the chair, he still had concerns for his partner, this was alot to bear for someone, especially for Zander. "What about her family? No one ever questioned it?" Zander looked up at Jack. "Sure there were questions, plenty of them. But Nikolas ran and so did I, there was really no one else to ask. Jack, this incident just disappeared. For all who knew about it, well, they are either gone from this world or they have disappeared so no one can find them." Jack raised an eyebrow. "Look, I was heavily into the mob at that time, working for Faith who had connections with Lorenzo Alcazar, a known International criminal ... Jack all this disappeared in a matter of hours. There was no proof of anything. Emily was dead. End of story." Zander was getting annoyed with all of Jack's questions about that night. He just simply wanted to forget that night, he didn't want to re-live it over and over again."Okay. end of story." Jack got up off the chair and threw Zander his clothes that laid across the back. "Here, let's go get some breakfast. I think you need it." Zander caught the clothes thrown at him and looked at Jack. "Sure, as long as we can put your interrogation about that night to rest?" Jack started to walk towards the door and turned to look back at Zander. "Okay, no more questions. Just get dressed, I'll meet you downstairs in 10 minutes." Jack left Zander alone in the room and closed the door behind him. Zander fell back on the bed and sighed heavily. He rubbed his hands over vigorously, he couldn't believe this was happening to him. He decided to throw himself into the new case they were working on, maybe taking his mind off of that night would help it go away for good.

CUFFS Episode 11 Jake's - Zander's room Zander woke with a start, his brow moist with a cold sweat. He tried to shake the nightmare he had, as his body quivered and his breathing erratic. He tried to catch his breath as he sat up against the headboard of the bed. It had been a while since he had one of those kinds of nightmares. He took a deep breath and ran his fingers through his coal black hair. He reached for the glass and bottle of Jack sitting on the nightstand next to the bed. The red numbers on the clock read 2:00am as he glanced towards the window to see the neon sign flicker "Jake's". He poured himself a shot of alcohol hoping it would calm him down enough so he could fall back to sleep. He swallowed the liquor with a hard gulp and set it back on the nightstand. He could feel it all the way down his throat as he rubbed his face with his hands. He laid back down and rested his head on the pillow, he pulled the covers up over his waistband and placed his hands behind his head. He stared at the ceiling for what seemed like an hour before he slowly closed his eyes and drifted back off to sleep. The corridor was dark and gloomy, there was a musty smell in the air, it was cold and brought a chill to him as he heard voices in the distance. He stood back in the shadows as he watched the two figures embrace, his anger burned inside him at the sight of them, he followed as they walked back towards the opening in the wall. He stood in the dark corridor as he watched them through the opening, they embracing, kissing, groping each other like animals. He stepped from the shadows with his gun raised, he was ordered to permanently remove him and he was there to complete his mission. He startled the two of them as they quickly turned to face him. He thought he had it all planned out, but something went terribly wrong. His target approached him, not afraid to die and came face to face with him. He shouted at him but his mind racing, he didn't hear the words, just saw his mouth moving. He pointed the gun at him and he didn't flinch. She didn't stay back like she was suppose to .... shots rang out. Blood on his hands, now down on the ground next to her. "Nooooo! Emily!!" Zander sat straight up in the bed in a cold sweat. His breathing was hard and erratic, his body quivering with fear. He slipped from the bed and went to the bathroom. He turned on the faucet and ran cold water into his hands. He splashed his face hoping it would snap him out of what was happening to him. He could never forget that night, but he wished the nightmares would stop. It had been a nightly occurrence to relive what happened, but they seemed to subside once he moved to Miami. He guessed they were back because he was back to the scene of the crime. But it wasn't a crime, it was an accident, yet he never got over the feeling of guilt of doing the deed. The night that he was suppose to remove Nikolas permanently didn't happen like it was suppose to. Zander walked back to the bed and sat down on the edge. He grabbed the bottle of Jack and chugged it down. One way or the other he was going to get a night's rest, voluntarily or passed out. He soon finished the bottle and laid out cold on the bed. He awoke to a banging on the door. "Zander! You awake?" the voice shouted from the other side of the door. Zander groaned as he rolled over and hid his head in the pillows. "Go away!" he mumbled loudly. His visitor wasn't going away and knocked on the door once more. He stayed laying hoping who ever it was would get the hint and go away like he wanted them to. "Come on, Zander! Open the door!" Zander slowly climbed out of bed and went to the door. His was all disheveled as he rubbed his face with his hands as he opened the door. Jack stood on the other side with coffee in his hands and pushed his way inside. He set the coffee down on the desk as Zander closed the door. "Rough night?" Jack asked with a chuckle. Zander reached for a cup of coffee and smelled the aroma in the air. "You could say that." he replied before he took a cautious sip. "Want to talk about it?" Jack asked as Zander went to the bed and sat on the edge. He looked up at his partner who stood there concerned for him. "Um, no." Jack grabbed the wooden chair and sat in backwards in front of Zander. He straddled the chair and sat down with the cup in his hand. "It might be better if you do. Talking about it can help sometimes." Jack was seriously concerned and worried about Zander. His mysterious talk out on the water the day before had him curious. Zander took a sip from his cup and sighed. "I guess you deserve to know the truth." Jack raised an eyebrow. "That serious, huh?" Zander got up from the bed and began to pace. It helped him in some way to clear his head and it became a bad habit. Jack sat in the chair waiting to hear what was going on Zander's head. Jack noticed Zander struggling with the words, and he soon realized what Zander had to tell him had to be something that really weighed heavily on him.

Let's not forget me being on your cute little tushy to get this posted tonight - if not it wouldn't of gotten posted till tomorrow after you woke up! Jen

*applause* Toot Toot! If I do say so myself. Jen

Born to Be My Baby by Bon Jovi

They walked down to the wharf and met with the harbor master. "You know how to drive one of these things?" Jack asked as he and Zander boarded an old fishing boat they had rented. "Of course I do. I grew up on the water, remember." Zander rolled his eyes at the thought that Jack would forget something like that about him. "Oh, and here I thought you just knew how to blow them up!" Jack chuckled as Zander turned the ignition. "Funny, Jack. Real funny." Zander smirked as he pulled away from the dock. "Where we headed?" Zander didn't really know, he just wanted to check out the bay and to see who was coming and going into Port Charles. "Just out there. Don't worry, we won't be out here long." He tried to answer his partner the best he could, since he really didn't know himself. Zander steered the old boat towards Wyndamere, Jack was so interested in it the first night they were in town, so he thought he'd give his partner a good look at the island and the old mansion that sat on the grounds. "Wow, that's creepy." Jack said as Wyndamere came into view. "Yeah it is, trust me. The old place has been here for a long time, even before I had come to Port Charles." Zander and Jack circled the island as thoughts of what had happened there filled Zander's mind. The events that made him escape Port Charles gave him chills as he remembered that night. Jack saw his partner drift off into space and shouted his name to bring him back. "Zander!" Zander glared at his partner as he called his name. "Bad memories?" Jack continued as they made one last pass. "Yeah, the reason I stayed in Miami and away from Port Charles." Jack didn't push the issue, it seemed the more they talked about it, the more Zander got agitated. Zander had seen enough of the bay, he had seen what he wanted to see and he turned the old boat back towards the main land. Jack didn't understand their expedition out into the bay, though he figured it was all part of Zander's reasons for leaving his home and trying to forget his past. He didn't question it, he knew that if Zander wanted to talk about it, he would. Zander docked the old fishing boat and turned off the engine. "So did we learn anything from our field trip?" Jack asked as he stepped off the boat and onto dry land. "Jack, our field trip was very educational. Come, let me buy you a cup of coffee and explain it all to you." Zander took a grasp on Jack's shoulder and guided him as they walked along the docks. They walked and talked a piece way before running into someone Zander apparently knew. Jack eyed the young petite woman who jumped into Zander's arms. Zander embraced Elizabeth and twirled her around in his arms. It was the first time in a long time that Jack had seen a smile like that on Zander's face. Zander set Elizabeth down on her feet and brushed back a stray strand of brunette hair from her face. "It's been a long time Zander." she said excited to see him. "It sure has. It's so good to see you." he replied and pulled her into another embrace. She held onto him tightly and he did to her. It was like they had never been apart. All the feelings came rushing back to him as they embraced on the docks, it was a good feeling that he felt and it was something he didn't want to lose again. Jack cleared his throat hoping one of them would notice he was standing there. "I'm sorry Jack. Elizabeth, this is my partner Jack Keys." Jack extended his hand to Elizabeth and she shook it firmly. "Jack this is Elizabeth ...." It had been a long time, Zander didn't know which name she was now using so he didn't. "Hi Jack. Nice to meet you." Jack smiled at the pretty woman who stood before him. "Hi Elizabeth. Nice to meet you too." Elizabeth's focused turned back towards Zander once more. "You think we could get together later, I'd love to talk with you about some things." she flirted. Zander looked at Jack as if to get his approval. "Yeah I guess so. Jake's?" Elizabeth agreed that Jake's would be fine. "I'll see you later then." she gave Zander a kiss on the cheek before continuing her walk down the pier. "Okay, you have to tell me your secret." Zander looked at Jack a little confused. "What secret?" he chuckled. "The secret of getting all these women, Zander. Have you had all the women in this town, or only the pretty ones?" Zander chuckled at the thought. Jack's eyes still focused on Elizabeth who was a good distance from where they stood. "Come on, let's go get that coffee, Romeo."

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwzqefvAqYs&rel=1"></param><param'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwzqefvAqYs&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwzqefvAqYs&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object> Inspired by Crashed by Chris Daughtry He was out late again, another business meeting he attended while she sat at home alone. While she waited for him, she had stumbled upon information she wasn't suppose to, information that he was keeping from her. She had discovered the truth, the truth that she should of been told about, months ago. By the time he returned home, she had a few hours to gain her courage to confront him about the deceit and lies. She was ready for him when he walked into the living room. "Lorenzo ...." she stood up from her seat on the couch. "Sorry I'm late, the meeting ran over. We had a lot of business to discuss tonight." he replied as he went to the wet bar and poured himself a drink. He could see there was something wrong and questioned her. "Something wrong?" "You could say that. I guess I will just get to the point." She reached for the files she hand found and threw them at him. Papers scattered everywhere. "Why the hell have you been lying to me?! Lying for months!" she shouted as a shocked look came over his face. "Lying about what?" he played coy as he took a sip from his glass. "Don't do that, Lorenzo! You know damn well what I'm talking about! You have been lying to me about your recovery and going behind my back to go up against Sonny, all the while I'm sticking my neck out for you and covering *your* ass, thinking you are not capable of handling the business by yourself!" He knew he'd been busted, there was no denying it now. She knew all of it and there was no way he was going to talk his way out of this one. "Okay, yes I've been hiding my recovery from you." "And ? ... dammit Lorenzo!" she shouted as she headed for the stairs. "Where are you going? We're not done here, Skye!" he called after her. "Yes, yes we are! We are done, completely done. I am leaving this house, and I am leaving you Lorenzo. You can have this business if you love it so much. Apparently so much more than me or Lila Rae!" she snapped back. She headed up the stairs to pack an overnight bag. Lorenzo took the quickly drank the alcohol that was left in his glass and slammed it down on the wet bar. Obviously upset that Skye was leaving him and leaving with his child. She came downstairs shortly after that and he asked her where she was going. "I don't know where I'm staying tonight. I know I'll be far away from you!" she stormed out of the house. She threw her overnight bag on the back seat and got in the drivers seat of her car. As she drove away from the house, it had started to rain. Lightning lit up the sky as she drove down main street. The rain pounded hard against the windshield as she pulled into the parking garage of the Metro Court hotel. Her eyes welled with tears as she couldn't help but think of all the lies she had been told, for months she believed him and believed whatever he told her. What a fool she felt like. She parked the car and took her bag from the backseat. She took the elevator up to the 21st floor and stepped off into the hallway. She followed the hall to Room #2132. She stood outside the door and hesitated. She knocked on the door. The door opened revealing him standing in his black silk robe covering his black pajama bottoms. "Skye? ..." he said as he didn't bother to adjust his robe to hid his bare chest, "What are you doing here? It's really late." She rushed into the apartment and closed the door, Ric unaware of what was about to happen, but he knew whatever it was, she would be in control. She dropped the overnight bag on the floor at her feet and pulled him to her. Her lips met his, a hunger drove her as all she wanted was to numb the pain she was feeling. She wanted to be with someone tonight, she needed someone to hold her, to love her, to make her feel like the beautiful woman she knew she was. It was all happening so fast, she had whisked up into a whirlwind as soon as she walked into the apartment. Soon their half naked bodies were caressing each other on the couch, then to the floor in front of the fireplace. She needed for the pain to go away, and like a drug, Ric was the one to make it all go away, at least for tonight. The passion intensified as they explored every inch of each other, lightning lit up the sky and illuminated the living room as their bodies intertwined and they became one. He thrust against her hard, moans of pleasure could be heard with every rhythmic stroke. She had to have him, she couldn't resist his touch, his scent, the taste of him only made her wanting him more. He was hungry for her, wanting her, needing her to be one with him, their passion ignited and intensified. As they lie in each other's arms, the amber glow of the fireplace warmed them. He saw she had drifted off to sleep and he got up and slipped on his black pajama bottoms, being quiet so not to wake her. He went to the wet bar and poured himself a drink. As he stood pouring the alcohol into the glass, he felt her hands come from behind him and wrap around his waist. "Offer a lady a drink?" she purred. He did so and handed her a glass. "Care to tell me what happened tonight?" he asked as he took a sip from his glass. "Well, the short version? I found out Lorenzo has been lying to me for months and I left him. I needed someone to dull the pain and that was you." "I'm glad I could help." he replied as he took the last sip of alcohol from his glass. "I need something more from you ..." she proposed "And what might that be?" he asked, his interested piqued. "I want you to help me take down Lorenzo and take over his territory." Ric grinned a devilish grin. "With pleasure."

Between the time the help from Miami would arrive, Zander would try to get close once more to Carly. They had been close before, it wouldn't take much to re-connect with her. He sat at a table in the corner of Kelly's just waiting, he knew she'd be in, it seemed to be her daily routine to come and visit with her mother. The waitress had re-filled his coffee cup a few times before Carly made an appearance at the diner. He didn't make an effort to approach her, he just sat reading the newspaper and sipping his coffee. As she walked passed, she took a second look to be sure it was him before she said anything. "Zander? Oh my God, it is you!" Zander looked up from his paper and smiled. "Carly! How have you been?" He stood up from his chair and gave her a hug. "I'm doing fine, what are you doing back in town? When did you get back?" She was just full of questions and he invited her to sit with him. "Please, sit and I'll fill you in." They talked for a while, just catching up on things, it had been a long time since he was in Port Charles, alot had changed. "All I want to know is are you happy?" he asked as she sipped the coffee that the waitress had brought her. "Yeah, Zander. I'm very happy. Lorenzo and I have a wonderful marriage." Zander noticed the look on her face when she talked about her husband, he could tell she wasn't telling him everything. He didn't push though, she'd tell him in her own way, and in time. "Hi Carly, so sorry I'm late." Bobbie approached from the direction of the kitchen. "That's okay mom, Zander and I have just been catching up." Carly stood and embraced her mother. "Well, you two look like you have things to do, so I'm going to go. I'm sure we'll be seeing each other again." Zander excused him self from the table and gave Carly a quick hug and kiss on the cheek goodbye. She smiled warmly as she watched Zander walk out the door. Bobbie noticed and raised an eyebrow. "You still love him don't you." she asked her daughter as they took seats at the table. "Zander? Nah .. just fondness. He's really pulled his life together since leaving Port Charles, I'm quite proud of him." Bobbie didn't buy her daughter's answer, she saw more then that in Carly's face as she talked about her former love. Zander and Carly never really explored their feelings for one another, but it was apparent to many people that they shared a bond, and cared deeply for one another. Bobbie always thought Carly had felt more for Zander then she had cared to admit, and from the look on her daughter's face, those feelings were brought to the surface. "So, what do you want to do today, mom? I got all afternoon. Lorenzo is away on business till tonight, so you have me all to yourself." Carly felt the urge to shop and she knew her mom couldn't pass up going shopping all afternoon. "Well I don't have to be back here till tomorrow, and I have the night off from the hospital, so ...." Bobbie's words drifted off leaving it up to Carly to decide. "How bout some shopping? I could always use a new outfit." Carly smiled and giggled. "Shopping it is." Zander sat outside Kelly's waiting for Jack to show up, he had called Jack to meet him there. He looked down at his watch checking the time when Jack strolled up. "Where have you been? I thought you were right around the corner." Zander asked as Jack took a seat at the table. "I was nearby, it didn't take me that long to walk here, did it?" Zander apologized for barking at his partner. "I'm sorry Jack, it's this case." he tucked his cell phone back into his jacket pocket before he heard Carly and Bobbie exit the diner. They were enjoying each other's company to much to realize he and Jack were sitting at the table. Jack's eyes focused on Carly as she walked away, and Zander noticed. "Ow! What'd do that for?" Jack yelped as Zander kicked him in the shin. "Hands off ... she's mine!" Zander joked. "That wedding ring on her finger says she's Lorenzo's. How do you suppose he's gonna feel about you invading his territory?" Jack asked as Zander cleared his throat. "I hope he becomes the jealous husband that I think he is and does something stupid. Stupid enough for him to slip up and then we got 'em!" Zander and Jack weren't sitting there long before Zander's cell phone rang. He answered it and talked for a few minutes to the caller. "That was the Lt. Our guys should arrive here tomorrow morning." Zander stood up and put his cell phone back in his pocket. "Where we going?" Jack asked as Zander started walking away. "We're going fishing." Zander offered as Jack caught up to him. "Fishing?"

Zander, Jack and Lucky spent the next few days coming up with a plan, the one thing they all agreed on was that it was going to more then the three of them to bring down Lorenzo. Zander made a phone call to his LT in Miami to see if there was a few more detectives he could put on the case to assist. "Hello, yes ... Badge # 573821-03 Detective Lewis Narcotics Unit....yes, I'll hold." Zander rolled his eyes and smirked. "Hello, yes .. I need to speak with Lt. Benson .. thanks." Zander waited patiently while he was being transferred to the unit. "LT. Lewis here, look we need some more bodies up here in Port Charles to help with this case." Zander asked as Lucky and Jack worked on more of the plan. "Yes, LT I know .. but, this is gonna take more then the three of us and I was hoping you could spare a few undercover officers for a few days." Zander's Lt. was not happy about sending a few officers he couldn't spare to help out, but eventually Zander convinced him. "Thanks Lt. We're doing fine here, just trying to work a few of the kinx out of right now. Jack? yeah he's right here.....No we haven't blown anything up .. yet." Zander chuckled at the thought. "Alright, I'll talk to you soon." Zander hung up with his Lt. and focused his attention on the case file that hung securely on a cork board they had hung on the wall. "So .. are we getting some help here or not?" Jack asked as he approached Zander from behind. "Yeah, Lt. is sending a few extra bodies to us, they should be here tomorrow." Zander still focused on one or two aspects of the case as he read over the a few of the pages again. He was a good cop, he was thorough and with this case, he wanted to plug up any holes. "How's pizza sound to you guys, I'm starved." Lucky said as he reached for the phone. "Sounds good, man. Anything but anchovies." Zander wrinkled his nose at the thought. "Fine with me." Jack added as he took a seat in the big comfy chair and propped his feet up on the coffee table. Zander began to pace in front of the cork board, his mind reeling with ideas about the case, but nothing that struck him as odd. "We have to get into Lorenzo's organization some how, neither of us can do that." Zander continued his pace, he always thought better when he was pacing, he figured it was a family trait, he had always seen his father do it, and now he did it too. "Zander would stop that before you wear a hole through the floor!" Jack watched as Zander walked back and forth in front of him. "Besides, your making me dizzy, and it's not helping my concentration." Jack chuckled as he reached for another file folder. "Okay so we have Jimmy our perp in Miami, who is connected to Lorenzo, and from what I see here, Jimmy makes weekly runs between PC and Miami, and we know his last trip was quite a few hundred pounds of cocaine, now .... " Zander thinking out loud, Jack sat in agreement as he nodded his head. Zander stopped in front of the cork board and crossed his arms in front of him. He stood with a serious look on his face as he concentrated on the thoughts running through his mind. "We also know that a month ago, Lorenzo made a trip to the islands, so I would assume he picked up the supply there and transported it back to the states on his yacht, storing it in one of the warehouses here along the docks." Zander pointed at the waterfront on the map of Port Charles that hung on the board. "Makes sense." Jack agreed as Lucky joined the conversation again. "See we've been through all of those warehouses down there and came up empty." he added. "Well then I would assume, Lorenzo has a mole someplace that is telling him everything, so when it comes time to bust him, he's already cleared out and gone." Zander answered as he turned around and faced them. "See that makes sense too." Jack replied as he pointed at his partner. "Okay let's say Lorenzo does have a mole in the PCPD, what then?" Lucky asked as he sat down on the arm of the chair Jack was sitting in. "Well, if that's the case, what we do from now on is between the three of us and no one else. We just can't risk it." Zander answered as he took a swallow from his bottle of beer. "What about Commissioner Scorpio? I mean, I trust him, I don't think he'd be in with Lorenzo." Lucky knew Mac for a very long time, he was a good cop, he'd never be on the wrong side of the law. Zander conceded that Mac would be told what's going on at least for now. The three of the startled when they heard a knock on the door. "Food!" Lucky was starved as he went to the door to let in the delivery man. Zander held his hand on his gun as Lucky reached for the door knob, he wasn't taking any chances. Lucky opened the door to find a familiar face standing on the other side. Zander heard a female's voice talking with Lucky and slowly moved his hand away from his weapon. "Paranoid, much?" Jack said as he walked passed Zander towards the kitchen for another bottle of beer. Zander's eyes followed Jack as he walked passed. Lucky invited his female friend in as Jack popped the top of the bottle he was holding. "Fella's, this is my fiancee Lydia .. Lydia, this is Jack Keys, and I believe you know Zander." Lydia shook hands with Jack and then walked towards Zander. "It's been a long time, Zander." she said as she stood before him looking him up and down. She noticed the holster he was wearing and the badge attached to the waistband of his jeans. "A cop, huh? Nice." she added as she glanced over his shoulder and noticed the cork board behind him. "Yeah, we're .. uh, working on a case with Lucky. How you been?" he said as he saw she was intrigued with the papers hanging on the board. "I'm doing fine, thanks." she answered as she skimmed the contents of the papers. "You know you shouldn't be reading that." Zander said and she looked at him trying to hide the fact that she was reading. "Oh sorry. Can't help it. Curiosity, you know." she replied as she turned into Lucky and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Guess this means no dinner tonight?" Lucky looked down at her and then at Zander and Jack. "Um, no not tonight. We got this case we're working on and I'm not sure how long it's gonna take." He gave her a kiss on the cheek, she seemed satisfied with his answer and walked towards the door. "Okay, well, I'll let you guys to your work. I hope you catch who ever it is your trying to catch." she smiled as she headed out the door. Lucky ready to close the door when the pizza delivery guy showed up with their dinner. "Finally, food!" Lucky grabbed the two boxes the guy was carrying and he laid them on the kitchen table. He reached deep into his jeans pocket and pulled out some money to pay the man. The delivery man smiled and walked back out the door closing it behind him. "I think we need to send in a woman .. " Zander suggested as he took a slice of pizza from the box. "Why?" Lucky asked as he swallowed his first bite. "Well, from what I've read, Lorenzo loves women, and seems to me that he can't resist the charms of a good woman." Jack raised an eyebrow. "Isn't he married to Carly?" Zander looked at Jack .. "Carly won't be a problem, trust me."

Another great epi - NICE JOB!! GH needs to be taking notes! Jen

"Let's not wait, Zander. Jack could be in real trouble where Lorenzo's concerned." Lucky advised as he and Zander removed their equipment and then rushed to Jack's aid. By the time Zander and Lucky appeared, Jack lay lifeless on the ground, and Lorenzo was gone. Zander rushed to his partner concerned about his condition. He started patting him on his face trying to wake him up and then yelling his name hoping he'd open his eyes. "Jack! Talk to me Jack!" Jack fluttered his eyes open and tried to focus on who was calling his name. "Ooh." he groaned as he tried to sit up. Zander ran his hand across the back of Jack's head and he winced when he felt Zander's hand touch where it was tender. "You'll have a nice goose egg tomorrow." Zander said as he tried to help his friend to his feet. Lucky came rushing back to them after he canvassed the immediate area for Lorenzo. "He's gone." he said as he tried to catch his breath. "We're gonna have to try to get him another way. Spying on him isn't going to work. Too many guards to watch, it's gonna take more man power then just the three of us." Jack said as he was helped to the car by his partner. "Okay we have to come up with a new plan. We're not playing with a stupid criminal, he's evaded us for a reason, he's smart and he's not willing to make himself a target." Lucky replied as they got into the car that was parked a block or so away. "Okay, what do you suggest?" Zander asked as he drove them all back to the station. Lucky glanced at him as his mind went blank. "I don't know .. yet. We'll think of something." They returned the surveillance equipment to the station and decided to go get Jack checked out at the hospital. He reluctantly went along. "I don't need no doctor to tell me I have a bump on my head!" Jack barked as Zander pulled the car up to the ER. "Jack, you should get checked out." Zander replied as they sat in the car with it still running. "Partner I would know if I was hurt badly, it's just a bump on the head!" Jack refused to go inside to see a doctor, Zander didn't push. "Okay fine. No doctors." Zander gave in. It wasn't worth the fight. Zander drove away from the hospital and headed towards Jake's. The two of them walked into Jake's and sat down at the bar. Zander looked around to see a familiar face shooting pool. He nudged Jack and saw a young blonde leaning over to take aim. "Yeah, who is it?" Jack asked as she stood up and he saw her face. He looked towards Zander and smiled. "That Jack is Carly. Alcazar's wife." Jack moistened his lips with his tongue as his mind filled with impure thoughts of he and Mrs. Alcazar. Jack hadn't gotten a good look at Mrs. Alcazar earlier at the park, he had just assumed the blonde Lorenzo was with was his wife. Zander noticed the look on his partner's face and nudged him in the ribs. "Get it right out of your mind, Jack. Going after Carly would be signing your death warrant." he said as the barkeep brought them two bottles of beer. "But she could be our way to Alcazar." Jack suggested as Zander took a swallow from the bottle. "She could also put you in cement shoes and at the bottom of the lake, Jack." Jack snubbed off his partner's comment and slid off the bar stool. Zander reached for Jack's arm to prevent him from going but his jacket slipped through his fingers. Zander swung around on the bar stool and faced the other direction. He couldn't watch his partner crash and burn the first time out. He heard Carly's laugh and took a peek at what was happening behind him. Jack had Carly smiling and laughing, he couldn't believe it as he stared from a distance. A few minutes had passed and Jack came strolling back to the bar. He sat down on the bar stool and smiled. "So? What happened, Jack?" Jack didn't say anything just smiled. Zander noticed the lipstick mark left on Jack's cheek, it was Carly's shade of red she always wore. Jack sat and took a swallow of the beer that sat in front of him, ignoring his partners insistence on telling him what happened. "She's very nice." is all Jack said as he sat and nursed the bottle of beer. "You're impossible, you know that?" Zander chuckled as the two of them sat and drank themselves into a stupor.

On a stake out ... Zander and Lucky sat in a black four door sedan on 5th Street as Jack dressed in street clothes strolled down towards the docks. "Testing" he said as he tried out the microphone connection. "Loud and clear, Jack" his partner replied to him through the small ear piece. "Is he gonna be okay out there?" Lucky asked as he listened and recorded all that was said on a recorded her held on his lap. Zander looked over towards him as he adjusted his ear piece. "Jack? Yeah he's cool. He loves this cloak and dagger stuff." "I'm asking cause Alcazar is no one to mess with, he's deadly if he thinks he's being watched or threatened." Jack was a veteran at going undercover, he wouldn't make any mistakes. Zander and Lucky watched from a distance as Jack moved closer and closer to their suspect. Alcazar and his wife Carly sat on the park bench just enjoying the afternoon sun. Zander didn't think they'd get much today, but Lorenzo's unpredictable, he wanted to be ready for anything. As Jack approached a man in a dark suit approached Lorenzo. He stayed back and watched as the man handed Lorenzo a small package, envelope size. "We got something guys..." Jack said as Zander and Lucky listened from the car. "Lorenzo just received a small package from a gentlemen." Jack added as he moved closer to get a better look at what the package was. He saw Lorenzo open it up slightly so he could peek inside. "The envelope is filled with cash." he added as he observed safely out of harms way. "Jack .. let's not do something stupid." his partner advised from the car. Jack rolled his eyes at the comment from Zander as he noticed Carly stood up from the bench and walked away with one of the body guards. "Mrs. Alcazar is leaving with one of the guards." "Stay with Lorenzo, this could be some sort of cash deal going on." Lucky said as Jack stayed out of sight but kept his eye on what was happening. The gentleman sat down beside Lorenzo on the bench and talked a while. "Jack. What's happening?" Zander asked. It was too quiet on the other end. "Nothing. Their just talking. I"m gonna go see if I can hear anything." Jack replied as he moved closer. "Be careful Jack. Lorenzo can be very lethal if he thinks he's at risk." Lucky concerned with what might happen if Lorenzo found out he'd been being watched and monitored. Jack crept closer and closer to his suspect, he didn't even take notice to the bodyguard who had found him snooping around. The body guard grabbed from behind and wrapped his arm around Jack's throat, it became hard for him to breathe. Zander and Lucky lost connection with Jack as they heard the static instead of Jack's heartbeat. "Dammit!" Zander shouted as he and Lucky concerned about what was happening. "Jack! Answer me Jack!" Zander said into the microphone worried and frantic about his partner. "Let's not wait, Zander. Jack could be in real trouble where Lorenzo's concerned." Lucky advised as he and Zander removed their equipment and then rushed to Jack's aid. By the time Zander and Lucky appeared, Jack lay lifeless on the ground, and Lorenzo was gone. Zander rushed to his partner concerned about his condition. He started patting him on his face trying to wake him up and then yelling his name hoping he'd open his eyes. "Jack! Talk to me Jack!"

The three of them put there heads together and came up with a plan to bring down the biggest crime lord on the East Coast, one that has evaded them for years, it was time he was taken out of commission. The three sat for a few hours coming up with a strategy, and thought the best way would be an undercover op, trying to get Jack into Alcazar's organization would be no easy task. Zander and Jack didn't overstay their welcome, and decided to find a place they could stay for a while. Zander had the perfect place in mind. He knew Jack surely wouldn't object. They left Lucky's loft and headed down the street towards the docks. "Where we going?" Jack asked as they turned the corner. "You'll see." Zander replied as they walked a little further. They came upon a tavern, a little run down, but it was open for business. "Jake's?" Jack said with his eye brow raised. "Yeah, my old stompin' grounds. I'm sure Coleman wouldn't mind new tenants." There was a sign in the window "Rooms for Rent" below the flashing neon beer sign. "Come on, I'm thirsty." Zander said as he walked into the bar and Jack followed. They walked into the bar room, patrons sitting at the bar, a few shooting pool and a pretty young lady on the pay phone. They sat on two bar stools at the far end of the bar and waited for Coleman. "Hey man." he said as he approached. "I, uh see you got rooms still for rent." Zander said. "I do. Can I get you's something to drink?" Coleman asked as Jack eyed the bottles of liquor behind him. "Yeah just a bottle of Jack and two glasses." Zander requested as he pulled out a wad of cash from his pocket. He laid a twenty dollar bill on the bar, plus another hundred. "Dude, the bottle of Jack isn't that much, besides, it's on the house." Coleman replied as he noticed the money Zander laid down. "We're gonna need two rooms for at least a week, maybe longer." Coleman took the hundred and put it in a metal box behind him. He set a bottle of Jack down on the bar and reached for two shot glasses. Jack didn't wait for Coleman to open the bottle, as soon as there was a glass in front him, he began to pour the alcohol into it. He swallowed the full shot in one gulp. "Smooth." he said as he felt the first shot as it went down. "Only the good stuff for you guys." Coleman answered. Jack poured Zander's shot glass to the top and poured himself a second. The two sat at the bar till the bottle was down to the last swallow. Jack held his liquor well, and wasn't quite as wasted as Zander. He helped his partner up to the room after getting the keys from Coleman. "Up the stairs and to the right. The last two rooms at the end of the hallway." he instructed as Jack and Zander headed towards the stairs. Jack opened the door to one of the rooms and closed it behind him. He flopped Zander down on the bed, who was out as soon as his body hit the soft mattress. Jack threw the room key on the dresser and left his partner to sleep it off. He opened the door to the room next door and went inside. The room wasn't much to look at and it smelled musty, but it was clean and the bed looked comfortable. He slept in places before worse then this, he'd survive. He removed his jacket, then his holster, before sitting down on the edge of the bed so he could remove his boots. He hoped the shower had hot water, cause he certainly could use it. He removed his tee shirt, a muscular form was revealed. He threw his shirt onto the bed and walked towards the bathroom. He peeked inside to find the light switch and turn on the light. He got undressed and turned on the shower. Hot water spurted from the shower head, a nice stream fell on his chiseled body as he stepped inside. He emerged from the bathroom, refreshed. After the exhausting day he had had, he needed sleep. He pulled back the blankets on the double bed and climbed in. The soft mattress fitted his form perfectly as he laid his head down on the pillow. It wasn't too long before he drifted off to sleep. The morning sun shone through the curtains as Jack turned over and the warmth of the morning sun fell against his face. He slowly opened his eyes and quickly closed them again, he pulled the covers over his head, he wasn't ready to get out of bed just yet. He was startled by a knock on the door. "Jack! Let's go! We got criminals to catch!" Zander shouted from beyond the wooden door. "Go away!" Jack hollered back. "Come on Jack! I got breakfast!" his partner standing in the hallway with coffee and danishes from Kelly's. It didn't take Jack long to get to the door once he heard the word breakfast. He opened the door to find Zander holding the coffee in his hand and a paper sack in the other. Zander walked in and set the items on the desk. Jack not quite awake grabbed a cup of coffee and breathed in the aroma of the hot liquid. The steam felt good against his face and the fragrance made his senses awaken. Zander took the other cup of coffee as Jack reached for a danish that was in the bag. Stroking his goatee Zander said "So .. are you ready to go catch us a bad guy?"