Damn...his effect on her was bewitching.

Spellbound, Nikolas trapped Dawn with the dark, sensual power of his eyes. His gaze was riveted on her face, then moved over her body slowly. Her flesh tingled as if the touch of his hands followed his blatant perusal. Her heart pounded and her body burned with a flame that only he could extinguish.

"Nikky..."

His soft full lips curved into a seductive smile. He held his hand out to her. "Come for me..."

"Yes."

She obeyed him without hesitation. With his warm smile beckoning, she glided across the air only to find him gone.

"Nikky!"

Dawn woke with a start. Beads of sweat wet her brow. Her heart raced in agitation and ice cold fear coursed through her veins. She inhaled and exhaled a series of deep breaths in an effort to calm the terror that transformed her beautiful dream into an ominous nightmare. Her fingers fumbled with the bedside lamp until light brightened the room. A glance at the clock told her that another day was almost over. Another day without Nikolas beside her.

For two days, they celebrated Dara's recovery. The Casa throbbed with a continuous party. At first, Dawn believed the sense of foreboding that greeted her on the second morning of the celebration was born of anxiety about Dara's medication. Since waking from a late afternoon nap with those same feelings looming over her, she found it impossible to dismiss them so easily again.

Something wasn't right. Nikolas needed her. She rose from the bed and packed an overnight bag. When she was done, she showered, dressed and left her quarters in search of a pilot.

She found Jax and Phaedra enjoying the pleasures of the bubbling Jacuzzi. She hated to intrude and almost turned away, but Phaedra called out to her, "Dawn!"

"Hi, PK," she greeted with a pensive smile. "Hello, Jax."

"G'evening," he replied in his Australian drawl. "You aren't dressed for the Jacuzzi, but you're welcome to join us. Don't worry. We're fully clothed."

"Jax!" Phaedra pinched her husband's arm. "The heat makes him incorrigible, but you are welcome to come in."

She shook her head. "I came to ask you a favor, but I don't want to disturb you. I'll speak to Simone—"

"She's not here," Phaedra informed her. "She flew over to the next island. There was a premature birth and the baby may not make it. What was the favor you wanted? I'm sure we could do it."

"I wanted a ride to Port Charles and I wanted to know if Jax could fly me there."

A scowl creased the blonde's forehead. "Nikolas wants you to stay here," Jax said quietly. "He asked us to make sure you do."

"I can't stay. I can't shake the feeling that something is wrong and he needs me. If you can't fly me, I can find someone else who will-"

"There's no need for that," Jax told her as he reached for a towel. He stood up, stepped out of the Jacuzzi and wrapped the towel around his glistening torso. He extended his hand to his wife as she did the same. "I can take you back. I imagine you want to leave as soon as possible."

"I do."

"Okay," Phaedra said with a caring smile. "We'll be ready within the hour." As they walked past Dawn, she patted her arm. "I'm sure that Nikolas is fine."

Dawn accepted her words with a faint smile. "I'll be sure when I can see him for myself."

"I wish you didn't have to leave so soon," Keesha lamented. "Having you here has been wonderful."

Jason's arms wrapped around her and held her close. The small swell of her abdomen pressed between them and Jason smiled. "We'll be together again soon. You make sure to stay worry-free and take care of yourself and that bundle in the oven."

"I am taking care of us," she pouted, "but it's lonely without your arms around me at night. I miss you, Jason."

His heart ached. He missed her, too. Leaving without her was painful, but it must be done. She and their children must be protected at all costs. "Just remember how much I love you. That should make it bearable, right?"

"It does," she mumbled against his chest. Her hands clung to his back, squeezing him to her. "I just hate good-byes."

Jason planted a kiss against her brow. "Baby, this isn't good-bye. This is until we meet again...which will be soon! I'm sorry I didn't give you the details before, but I want you to know that we're closing in on them. Something big is happening back home. Once Eve and I get back, I have a feeling that the conclusion will be right around the corner. Whoever made Dara sick will be exposed. Sarah will get her just punishment for abducting Dominik and whoever else is involved will be raked across the coals, too. We're playing for keeps and we're gonna win."

Keesha lifted her head to look at him. "I wish there was something I can do to help."

Smiling, he bent forward and kissed the tip of her nose. "You can. Take care of yourself and our children. Remind them every day that I love them and don't ever forget how much I love you, too."

"Oh, Jason." Her voice trembled with emotion. "I love you."

Tears blurred his vision for a moment. Ignoring them he closed his eyes and lowered his mouth to capture hers in the sweetest kiss they ever shared.

"I still don't know what I did to deserve this."

Dillon smiled as a rosy blush claimed Elizabeth's cheeks. He took her hand and raised it to his lips for a gentle kiss. They dined in one of Port Charles' Grille's private rooms. The scent of roses mingled with the mouth-watering aroma of the meal they were being served. A bottle of champagne chilled nearby in a metal container. The warm glow of candles flickered and cast romantic shadows against the wall. The voice of Sarah Vaughn serenaded them. As Dillon set Elizabeth's hand on the table, he thought she deserved all of that and more.

"I enjoy your company," he said softly. "You're an amazing woman, Elizabeth. This is my feeble attempt of showing how much I appreciate having you in my life."

Elizabeth shook her head. Curly, brown tendrils brushed against her dewy skin. She smiled. "This isn't feeble. This is wonderful. Thank you, Dillon."

"I feel like making a toast," he declared. "Shall you join me?"

"Yes."

He poured the bubbly beverage into their glasses. Elizabeth laughed when some of it spilled onto his fingers. He grinned at her and licked it off. Her eyes followed the movement of his tongue and the laughter left her eyes. Heat replaced mirth. Dillon's body reacted instantly. He shifted his leg to give his throbbing member a small bit of release. Her gaze didn't miss that either and a tiny smile played at the corners of her mouth. "What shall we drink, too?" she asked in a throaty whisper.

Dillon glanced at his watch and his grin transformed into a dazzling, triumphant smile. "To new beginnings," he murmured as their glasses clicked...

Meanwhile...

Somewhere in the dark night, a plane flying over the Atlantic Ocean exploded.

BOOM!