"I think I ruined your shirt," Dawn said, as she slightly pulled her body away from Nikolas. One hand rested at his waist and the other smoothed the wrinkles and the tear stains on his cream-colored silk shirt.

"Don't worry about it. It's only a shirt," Nikolas said as he caressed her face and wiped the few remaining tears away with gentle strokes of his fingertips. "Are you okay?"

"I think so. I don't know what came over me, breaking down like that. I'm not one of those girls who gives in to hysterics," she said.

"You were nowhere near hysterical. Don't apologize for giving in to your emotions. We all do at one time or another," he said, brushing the few remaining tears from her face.

"Have you?" she softly asked.

"Quite a few times," he replied.

"Is that your favorite answer?" she asked with a small laugh.

"Perhaps," he smiled.

Their private moment was interrupted by the distant roll of thunder. During their time along the shore, the weather experienced a sudden change. The sunny day began to cloud over and was now overcast.

"I think the time has come for us to go back," Nikolas said, releasing her from his embrace to hold her hand.

Dawn pulled his hand to stop him. "Wait," she said. As he turned to face her, she cupped his face with her hand and tilted it toward her to gently brush his lips with a tender kiss. "Thank you."

Holding his hand, she led him back up the path to Wyndemere.

The knock at the door startled Justus. He wasn't expecting anyone. Ever since Keesha went back to Philly to visit her sick father, his visitors were few and far between. Justus was beginning to get used to the solitude, and he wasn't sure if he liked it.

Justus opened the door and was surprised to see a teenage boy on his doorstep. The boy, who was dressed in clothing that was too baggy to be fashionable, had a wildness about him. Justus was certain he had never seen him before, yet, there was something about the boy that was vaguely familiar.

"May I help you?" Justus asked.

"Are you Justus Ward?" Tommy asked, suspiciously.

"Yes, I am. Can I help you with something?" answered Justus, cautiously. After a brief pause, he asked, "Do I know you?"

"Yes, you do. I'm Tommy Hardy, and I need your help," he replied as he pushed past a stunned Justus into the penthouse apartment.

Dara shivered as she felt the change in the weather. From her position on the bench, she watched her mother as she helped a small girl tie her shoelaces. She hoped that Alex would call with some word on her sister soon. She wasn’t sure how much longer she and her mother would last without knowing something.

"Hello there, Miss Jensen."

Dara turned at the sound of the familiar voice. "Hello, Marcus."

"I heard about your little sister. How are you doing?" he asked, as he covered her hand with his.

Deciding to accept his offer of comfort, she left her hand in his. "I'm hanging in there. Has there been any information?"

"Nothing so far," he looked intently into her eyes. "Why didn't you call me last night? I would have been more than willing to help."

Before she could speak, Carrie returned.

"That little girl was a perfect angel," she said with a smile. Noticing Marcus for the first time, she looked inquiringly at her daughter.

"Mama, this is Det. Marcus Taggert."

Marcus offered her his hand, "Hello Mrs. Jensen. I'm sorry to hear about your daughter. I want to assure you that PCPD is doing everything they can to find her."

"Thank you, Detective," she replied, shaking his hand.

The shrill ringing of Dara's cell phone prevented the conversation from progressing any further. Dara fished inside her leather purse and quickly found her flip phone.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Dara. Alex here. I think we have a lead on Dawn," came the voice on the other end.

She mouthed his name to her mother and told him to continue.

"I have a witness here who says that he saw someone fitting Dawn's description getting into a Jaguar with Nikolas Cassadine. If I'm not mistaken, Nikolas owns a Jag."

"Oh, my God," Dara said breathlessly. "I can't believe they would stoop so low. I'm going to Wyndemere, right now."

"Dara, wait. Let us handle it," Alex said. "I'm on my way there as we speak. I'll go there and check it all out. This witness could be a little out there."

"No, she's there. I can feel it. I'll meet you there." With that said, Dara quickly closed her flip phone.

"What's going on? Does Alex know something?" Carrie questioned.

"He has a lead that she was picked up by Nikolas Cassadine. There's a possibility that she may be at Wyndemere," Dara answered. "Marcus, would you please see that she gets back to my place safely? I'm going to Wyndemere."

"No, Marcus, that won't be necessary. I'm going with you. No buts."

"And I'm going with both of you," Marcus interjected. "Ladies, shall we?"

Chapter Fourteen