A REAL TEAR-JERKER

I wrote this before we knew for sure what the Cataclysmic Event was going to be on GH! Some said "Poseidon Adventure" while others said "Towering Inferno". I went with the latter.

***

Zander woke up in the holding cell and had an epiphone. "What the hell am I doing," he asked himself. Being with Emily was not worth all the pain he was going through. Even if she did come back to him, there was no guarantee that she wouldn't fall in love with someone else down the road. He didn't want to go through that again. He thought about the last time they were happy together and smiled. Then he remembered what he said to her when she was in the hospital, so close to death. He begged her to come back even if it wasn't to him. He had just wanted her to live, to be happy. He still did. It was like he had emerged from a coccoon. He felt lighter and freer than he had in ages.

Maybe it would be better if he just left town, to make a new start. He sure didn't want to have to face everybody after all the crap he'd pulled recently. He paced back and forth in the cell, dragging his hands through his hair.

"Good morning, son."

Zander looked up to meet his father's concerned gaze. He lowered his eyes in shame. "Hey, Dad," he murmured.

"I think it's time we had a long talk."

"About what?"

"I want you to tell me how I can be a better father to you."

Zander's head shot up. That was the last thing he'd expected his father to say. He stood there in stunned silence as he watched his father talking to one of the officers. A guard opened up the cage door and Zander stepped out.

"Will you give me another chance, son?" Cameron held out his hand and Zander slowly reached for it and shook it. Both men nodded a bit nervously and then left the police station.

Cameron and Zander had an open and emotional conversation about the hell that Zander had been going through these past few months. Cameron vowed to be more understanding and available to Zander whenever he needed it.

The next day Zander took the custody papers to Ric and Elizabeth. He tore them up and laughed at their shock. "Wait a minute," he said. "It's not what you think. I'm going to have Alexis draw up another contract, one that says the child will be in your custody, but that I can have visitation. I want to be a part of my child's life, even if it's just as a special uncle or something."

Rick and Elizabeth happily agreed. Zander pulled Ric aside and told him he was dropping his vendetta against Nikolas. He apologized for going to him in the first place, that he was letting his pain cloud his judgement.

Rick admired Zander for being able to get over his need for revenge. He realized he could learn a lot from this kid. He watched Zander and Elizabeth embrace. He had never seen his wife look so happy. Now he understood what she had seen in Zander.

***

With Nikolas in the clear of Cody's murder, thanks to Sam's testimony, he was free to marry Emily. They made plans for a small Valentine's Day ceremony at the Port Charles Hotel.

Zander was having a difficult time with the fact that Emily was going to marry another man, but he sucked it up and went to Wyndemere to offer his congratulations. Emily was so happy she threw herself into Zander's arms. It felt good to hold her again, but it felt even better to know that he had made her happy. He even shook Nik's hand and apologized for his behavior. The all agreed there would be no hard feelings. Alexis was there with Kristina and she told Zander how happy she was with his decision. It had been killing her to go against him. Emily, in her joy, invited Zander to the wedding. He just smiled and said, "I dunno."

***

Zander headed over to the Haunted Star. He had been avoiding Faith for days.

"Well, well, look who decided to grace us with his presence." Faith sauntered over to Zander and wrapped her arms around him.

Her kiss made him shudder and he pulled away. "Faith, I'm sorry. I can't do this anymore. I'm leaving town in a few weeks. I hope you can deal with it. I don't want any trouble."

Faith pouted at him but wished him well. "Enjoy your new life, kiddo. I hope it's everything you're looking for." He didn't notice the look of pure evil that came over her when he walked out. "Don't expect it to last very long," she hissed.

***

A week later Zander was debating whether or not to go to the wedding. Part of him just wanted to hide, but the other part wanted to see Emily happy. At the insistence of his father and Alexis, he decided it would be the best way to move on. Then he would start over someplace else, where his past wasn't looming over him.

***

Valentine's day had arrived quickly and Zander rode over to the hotel with his father and Alexis and Kristina. It almost felt like being in a family. The banter between Cameron and Alexis had him laughing out loud. He sat in the back seat with Kristina and tried to explain the intricacies of adult relationships. She just giggled and grabbed his nose.

The ceremony was short and sweet. Zander had never seen Emily look so radiant. He had a small fantasy of himself being up there with her but let it go. At the reception Emily asked him to dance. She apologized again and this time he accepted it. "You were right when you said you deserve better than me," she said. "I hope you find her."

"Thanks," was all he could say. He wished her well and handed her over to her new husband, threatening him with pain of death if he ever hurt her.

He walked around and watched the happy couples on the dance floor, one of them being his father and Alexis. They looked so comfortable with each other. He couldn't understand what was keeping them from taking the next step in their relationship. Before that thought had barely left his brain, he saw it happen. Alexis reached up to run her fingers along Cameron's jaw and he leaned down to kiss her. Zander felt like cheering. A tap on the shoulder made Zander turn around.

"Hey!" Maxie Jones smiled shyly. "I never expected to see you here."

Zander laughed. "Yeah, well, I guess you could say I'm going through a mature phase."

"So are you too mature to dance with me?"

Zander was caught off guard. "Umm... no. Let's do it." He led her to the dance floor next to his father and Alexis. They had stopped kissing, but were still close. Cameron caught sight of Zander and Maxie and gave a thumbs up. Zander rolled his eyes and glared at his father. Maxie was just a kid! Wasn't she? He looked down at Maxie and noticed something he hadn't before. She was beautiful. The young girl he had met over a year ago had blossomed into a lovely young woman. "Are you still jail bait," he asked only half-joking.

Maxie blushed and shook her head. "I was trying to get up the nerve to call you, but I figured a dance was a good place to start." She looked at him seriously. "Unless, of course, you're not ready. I mean, you probably still have feelings for Emily and I would just be a transitional person anyway." She stopped. "Maybe this was a bad idea."

"No. I think this was an excellent idea, Maxie." He pulled her closer. Maybe he would give Port Charles another chance.

***

Faith Roscoe addressed her goons in the alley behind the Port Charles hotel.

"Gentlemen, this is the opportunity of a lifetime. The ballroom upstairs is filled with the Port Charles elite, including Sonny Corinthos and Jason Morgan." She felt giddy, bordering on orgasmic. "You know what to do. If you accomplish our goal, you will be rewarded handsomely." She couldn't stop the bubble of laughter that exploded from her lungs as she walked back to her car.

***

Alexis held a sleeping Kristina in her arms, rocking her gently. "I need to get this little angel to bed," she whispered.

Cameron looked over at Zander and Maxie, who hadn't left the dance floor all night. "I don't think my son is ready to leave." He chuckled. "I'll let him know we're heading out and give him the option of catching a cab." Alexis grinned as she watched Cameron approach the dancing couple.

"Sorry to interrupt." Cameron cleared his throat. "Excuse me. Alexander?"

Zander jumped when he felt the pat on his back. He had been lost in another world with Maxie. Finding romance at Emily's wedding was definitely unexpected. He turned to see his father's sheepish grin.

"I tried to get your attention, but I guess you didn't hear me. Ahem, anyway Alexis and I need to get Kristina home. You're welcome to stay, but you'll need to get a cab."

"No, he won't," Maxie interrupted. "I've got my car. Um, that is if you'd like a ride home."

Zander smiled and nodded. "That sounds good."

"O-kayyy, well..." Cameron wasn't sure what to say. "Have fun, kids." Cameron cleared his throat again and walked off, leaving Zander and Maxie trying to control their laughter.

"I think my father should have that cough checked out."

"Yeah." Maxie laughed and pressed closer. Their moods turned more serious as they got back to dancing. "Are your feet tired yet?"

"No. Yours?" Zander felt like he could dance with her all night.

"No." Maxie turned her face slightly to touch her lips to Zander's neck. He felt his toes tingle and pulled back to look at her. He wondered if she had meant to do that. Her hand snaked into his hair, pulling gently. She had definitely meant it. His lips touched hers gently and he heard bells. Maxie jumped back. "What's that? Fire alarm?"

Zander looked around and saw people rushing to the door to get out. He held Maxie to him and tried to stay calm. "Yeah, sounds like a fire alarm all right." He knew they were up pretty high, so the stairs might not be an option. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed 911. The fire department had already been called and were on their way. Thankfully, most of the guests had gone home, as well as the bride and groom.

Suddenly an explosion rocked the building and people screamed.

"Oh, god, Zander I'm scared." Maxie clung tightly to him.

"It's gonna be okay. Just stay calm." He got an idea. He called 911 again to make sure a hellocopter was sent. "C'mon, Maxie. Help me get everybody up to the roof." They gathered everyone together, while Zander calmed their fears. "A rescue team is on the way. We need to get up to the roof so the chopper can airlift us outta here."

Soon everyone was making their way to the roof in an orderly fashion. Sonny and Jason quickly pushed their way to the front in order to get Carly and Courtney out first. Then they went back to offer help. All they got were dirty looks, so they went to join their wives. Alan and Monica tried to calm Edward and Lila, while the chaos swirled around them. Zander made his way over to them. He and Ned lifted Lila's wheelchair and carried her up the stairs and out into the cold night air. Zander took off his jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders.

"Thank you, son," Edward offered. "I was so wrong about you and I'm sorry."

"No worries, old man," Zander said. "It was nice to be a part of your family, even if just for a little while." He hugged Edward, who actually returned it this time.

The hellicopter was approaching. Everyone waved frantically and made room for a landing. The co-pilot told everyone that they would need to make three trips. The oldest and youngest were sent first. Maxie stayed behind to help the others. On the return, the hellicopter took more of the Quartermaines and Sonny's family. Big Alice, Ned, Zander and Maxie would be picked up on the last run.

Another explosion shook the roof and Zander held Maxie tight. "You should've gone already. Why did you stay behind?" He was starting to panic.

Maxie was defiant. "Why did you stay behind?" They called it a draw.

A few minutes later the hellicopter had returned. Ned and Zander helped Big Alice and Maxie inside. Ned climbed in and then reached for Zander. Just as the chopper was about to take off, an explosion ripped through the roof. Zander fell from the doorway and Maxie screamed his name. The pilot couldn't keep them there any longer. It was too dangerous. They would have to make one last trip. Maxie was sobbing uncontrollably in Big Alice's arms. Ned had never felt so powerless in his life. He leaned over and put his head in his hands, playing multiple scenarios in his head of how he could've kept Zander from falling. When the chopper landed on the hospital roof, the group was reunited with their families.

"Where the devil is Zander," Edward bellowed.

Ned watched the hellicopter take off again. He put his arm around his grandfather and told him to pray.

The chopper returned and everyone looked for a sign of Zander. The engines died and the pilots exited. "I'm sorry. The flames were coming through the roof. There was nothing we could do."

"NO!" Maxie screamed. "You have to find Zander! You have to!"

Ned hugged Maxie and tried to calm her, but she was hysterical. She had to be sedated.

Edward didn't even try to hide his tears. "It's not fair."

Everyone that was up on the roof had made it out alive thanks to Zander. They all stood there in silent vigil for the young man who had helped save them.

***

Cameron awoke to a presence in his room. He reached for the light and was startled to see his son. "Alexander? What are you doing here? What time is it?"

"It's late, Dad. I just wanted you to know something and it couldn't wait."

Cameron smiled. "What is it, son?"

"I want you to know that I love you and I forgive you. So please stop beating yourself up. You did the best you could under the circumstances. Peter doesn't blame you either."

"Peter?" Cameron gasped. His older son appeared like a vision.

"It wasn't your fault, Dad. Let it go." Peter put his arm around Zander and led him out the bedroom door.

"Wait! Peter! Alexander!"

Cameron bolted upright in bed. The phone was ringing. He glanced at the digital clock. It was just after midnight. "Hello," he answered.

"Cameron, it's Alexis." The tears in her voice were evident.

"Alexis, what's the matter? Is it Kristina?"

"No. It's Zander."

Cameron sobered up quickly. "What about Zander?" He could feel his heart sink. He knew the truth before she even said the words.

"He's dead, Cameron. There was a fire at the hotel..."

***

There wasn't a dry eye in the church as each speaker went up to eulogize Zander Smith. From that day on everyone in Port Charles hailed Zander as the hero he was. After the memorial service, Faith accidentally put her car in drive instead of reverse. She drove it off the pier. Jason and Sonny watched her car sink to the bottom and shrugged. Then they got into their own car and did the same thing. Maxie Jones stepped from the shadows and smirked. "Zander is avenged. And I guess there's an opening for a new player in town." She straightened her little black dress and checked her makeup before heading home.


The End.


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