CHAPTER 17 Stefan Cassadine walks into Luke's angrily. He walks past Mike as he heads over to Sonny Corinthos and sits at his table . Sonny looks at him with curiosity. Sonny: " I don't remember inviting you to sit down." Stefan:" I didn't wait for an invitation. I'm a busy man, Mr. Corinthos, so I'm going to make this brief. I have it under good authority that you may have had a hand in my nephew's death. I am here to tell you that should this be proven true, I will not only kill you, but I will make sure that everyone who is associated with you beg for death also. " Sonny: " I don't take kindly to threats. From what I understand your nephew got drunk and drove off the road in a suicide attempt. Considering he lived with you, perhaps you should take your threats to a mirror." "My nephew's death was no more a suicide than your wife's death was a car accident!" Stefan says through his teeth. Sonny looks at Stefan coldly at the mention of Lily. He sees Alexis Davis walk into the club and stand near Mike. Neither make a move towards the men. Sonny: " You had better tread lightly, Cassadine...I'm trying to be somewhat considerate to your rude outburst considering your recent loss. Losing a child is a tragic thing. I should know. You crossed the line, bringing up Lily. Now unless you want me to take care of you personally I suggest you take yourself out of here. You know where the door is." Stefan: "You don't seem to understand. Killing me would be a favor to me Mr. Corinthos. Everything I lived for died with my nephew. It was hard enough to accept that he met his demise as an accident, but murder?? The only thing that is making me wake up each day is the promise i made to him. I will find out who killed My Nikolas, and they will pay in the worse way imaginable. A man in my state of mind doesn't make threats Corinthos. They make guarantees. So here is my guarantee to you. If you and Spencer had anything to do with Nikolas dying I will come for you both. Sleep easy while you can, Mr. Corinthos." Stefan turns and stalks out the door, with Alexis in hot pursuit. Sonny stares at the man and realizes he sees an exact copy of himself after Lily's death. Amazing how grief can be mirrored even in enemies, he thinks to himself. ...................... The following morning, Jerry enters Nikolas's room after breakfast. He notices that Nikolas has picked up much of the mess created last night. The broken items are in a pile in the corner. Nikolas glares at Jerry suspiciously. Jerry: "Well, I see you've cleaned up your mess, as ordered. Good. Now it is time for another chat." Nikolas: "I'm not interested in anything you have to say to me. It's just going to be lies anyway." Jerry: "Now, now, Nikolas. That's not the way to talk to the man with information you want. You see, I can fill in some information for you on your beloved mother. Information you suspect, but have no proof. Information about your father, and why Laura rejects you, even now." Nikolas pretends to not hear, but can't help being curious. He knows that some of what Jerry tells him is true. He remembers Lesley's caution about not believing Jerry. So far, she is the ONLY one that has no reason to lie to him. Jerry:'You will look at me while I speak to you, do you understand? Do you really want to be beaten?" Nikolas finally looks up at him, his eyes full of hatred. "Good,that's much better." Now that he has Nikolas's attention, Jerry begins, "You see, your mother has plenty of reasons to hate and fear us Cassadines. Stavros kidnapped her and forced her to be his wife." Nikolas shrugged his shoulders. "I already know this, big deal. " Jerry:"Ah, but that's only the beginning. You see, your Uncle Stefan was right about on thing. Your father was brutal with Laura. He would force himself on her regularly. Often he was drunk." Nikolas pretends not to react, but is sickened. "I'm not interested in what you have to say, Jerry. You are wasting your breath." Jerry:"But I can give you answers as to why your mother doesn't want to have anything to do with you. Why she repeatedly picks her other children over you. " Nikolas's stomach begins to hurt, as he steals a glance at Jerry. Jerry notices. Now he has Nikolas hooked again. Jerry:"Stavros died after trying to rape your mother in front of Luke. That is your mother's last memory of the Cassadines, until the last few months. She is terrified of us, terrified of you. That is why she didn't look for you. Every time she looked at you, even as a baby, she saw what Stavros did to her. You see, she really couldn't help it. That is the real reason why she didn't come back." Nikolas forces back the desire to cry. He refuses to let Jerry see that he's getting to him. Jerry continues, "And now today, she sees you as the spitting image of Stavros. The man who raped and brutalized her. A young man capable of killing Lucky, Lulu, and even Luke. Is it any wonder that she said goodbye to you in the hospital? She may love you, and even feel guilty about leaving you as a child. But she fears you more." Jerry:"And you are your father's son. A Cassadine. Look at what you did last night. You destroyed this room. If you are angry enough, you could kill someone. Someone like me. Like Lucky or Luke. You felt that murderous rage last night. That is the Cassadine Legacy." Nikolas is about ready to explode. "ENOUGH! You fed me your poison, now leave me in peace! Unless you want to test whether I'm capable of killing you?" Jerry leaves the room silently. Once outside, he smiles to himself. Mission accomplished. A few more truths, and Nikolas would be ready to accept his place as a Cassadine of the old school. Inside the room Nikolas is shaking with rage on his bed. He feels the the shame of his birth. So this is his legacy? To rape and murder? Did Laura have something to fear in him? Is that why she limited his contact with his sister? Everything Jerry said made sense. But it couldn't be. Was all of his mother's kindness in the last few months due to guilt? He looks at the wall adjoining his grandmother's room She is his lifeline. He walks over and sits next to the wall. "Grandmother. I need your help. Please help me." Lesley: "I'm here Nikolas." ............... WYNDEMERE Alexis followed Stefan inside. She had never seen him like this. He seemed more and more like Stavros everyday. Consumed by rage and grief. He was going to self-destruct if someone didn't stop him. Alexis decides to take the direct approach:"Cousin, are you out of your mind? Do you have a death wish, threatening Sonny Corinthos like that?" Stefan: "I have some information regarding Nikolas's death. It was no accident. Someone murdered him. And I believe Sonny had something to do with it. Have a seat, Alexis, and I will tell you all about it." Alexis is stunned into silence. She sits down in one of the chairs and waits for Stefan to continue. Stefan:"Commissioner Scorpio confirms it was a murder. Someone hit Nikolas over the head, stuck him in a car rigged to crash and explode. Scorpio believes it was a mob hit." Alexis is speechless for a moment, "And you believe Luke asked Sonny to take out Nikolas and make it look like an accident. I can't believe this. Nikolas killed so brutally." Alexis tries to process the information. "So what do you plan to do, Stefan?" Stefan: "I'm going to find out how they did this, and they are going to pay. They will suffer until they beg for death, and then they will die violently and painfully. If I die in the process, so be it." "You don't mean that, do you Stefan? Nikolas wouldn't want this for you..." Stefan interrupts Alexis angrily, "It doesn't really matter what Nikolas wants, he's dead. And Luke and Sonny will pay. I have no interest in living afterward. What happens to me now is fate." Alexis is very concerned, but realizes trying to argue with him at this point would be futile "Tell me how I can help you, cousin." "Nothing at this point. I have men working on the Corinthos angle. Right now I want to be alone. Please leave me to my solitude." Alexis goes over and kisses him on the cheek. She studies him for a moment before leaving. She notices how gaunt and haunted he looks. She shakes her head as she leaves Wyndemere. Mrs Lansbury meets her on the way out of the house. "Ms Davis, can I have a moment?" Alexis: "What can I do for you, Mrs Lansbury?" Mrs Lansbury:"Well, I'm concerned about Mr Cassadine. He hasn't eaten a bite since Nikolas died... He's hardly slept at all... I don't know what to do, Ms Davis..." Alexis: "I'll see what I can do, Mrs Lansbury. Thank you for telling me." Once outside, Alexis opens her cell phone to make a call. "Hello, Kevin? I need your help...." ............................... Miranda smiles as she hears the familiar voice. Miranda: " Took you long enough to answer." Pierce Dorman looks around the hospital as he smiles. Dorman: " I'm a doctor little girl, they keep me busy. What's up?" Miranda: "Can't a sister call her brother just to say hi?" Dorman: " Of course, just not mine. So how is your company??" Miranda: " Fine considering the circumstances. How is everything on your front?" Dorman: " Everything is as it should be. So, Mother tells me you gave her an icy reception at the exchange." Miranda: "I was picking up my guest brother, not coming for tea. Look, I wouldn't even been in this if it wasn't for her. She should be grateful that I'm a loyal daughter even if she wasn't a loyal mother." Dorman: ' Look, she left us get over it. She still saw us on occasion. She has always had her loyalties to that family. Dad did too." Miranda: " Father never left us. Look, I don't want to discuss this now. I take it you paid a witness." Dorman: " Mission accomplished. Well, I have to go to surgery. Miss you." Miranda: ' Miss you too.." She hangs up the phone and decides it's time to go see Nikolas. ............... Stefan is alone in the Wyndemere living room, replaying all the events leading up to and following Nikolas's death. It all leads to one answer- Luke Spencer and Sonny Corinthos. There is a knock at the door. Stefan reluctantly pulls himself out of his ponderings, to answer the door. Stefan is surprised, it is Kevin. Stefan: "Kevin Collins. To say I am surprised at finding you here would be an understatement. Come in." Kevin enters Wyndemere, and is struck by it's austere, museum-like furnishings. "Stefan, I want to convey to you my deepest condolences. I understand from Alexis that your relationship with your nephew Nikolas was more like father-son." Stefan nods, "Yes it was. He was my life. Some people might think this strange, but I lived through my nephew. Watching him grow into the amazing young man he became was my greatest joy. " He offers Kevin a drink, which he accepts. "Now what can I do for you, Kevin? I want you to know I meant what I said at the hospital before you were released. I will help you anyway I can." Kevin shakes his head, "That's very generous of you, but actually, I'm here to see what I can do for you. Your cousin, Alexis, called me today, very concerned about you. She thought that maybe I could help. I don't want to intrude, but since you and Alexis have been so kind to me during the aftermath of my meltdown, I thought maybe I could be of service as a friend." Stefan looks at Kevin, genuinely surprised. "That is quite kind of you, Kevin, but I do not think anyone can help me at this point. As you know, grief can be devastating, but there is nothing to be done." Kevin nods, "Especially coupled with survivor guilt. And we both know about that, from personal experience. I know that no one can take the pain away, Stefan, but it might help put some things into focus if you talk about this." Stefan studies Kevin carefully for several minutes, considering the offer. Maybe Kevin could help him figure this out. He decides to try. "There are just some things about Nikolas's death that don't make sense. Nikolas and I had a horrible fight before he died. So big, Nikolas walked out on me. He said he would return, but he didn't. Anyway, I found a letter in his room telling me he was running away. But his journal said otherwise.... And now I find out that he was murdered. I don't know what to make of it all." Kevin senses that there is something Stefan isn't telling him. "Tell me your feelings about the argument." Stefan flinches. "I don't see how it's relevant." Kevin: "Bear with me Stefan. I think it is. You have a horrible argument with your nephew and a few hours later he's dead. That has to affect you." Stefan gets up and walks slowly around the living room, visibly aged and distraught. "Oh God, how I wish that argument never happened. If I had just listened to him, rather than fighting back. If I hadn't been playing that stupid game with Lucky. This would not have happened. Nikolas would still be here..." Stefan falls into a nearby chair. He bends over forward, wracked with grief and guilt, rocking back and forth. "Oh God, how am I supposed to live with this? I cannot bear it.... I just cannot bear it.." Kevin watches in silence was Stefan works through the profound emotions he is feeling. He knows that Stefan needs to face these head on if he is to survive them. After many minutes, Stefan seems to calm down somewhat. "So you feel responsible for Nikolas's death. You think that if you hadn't had that argument, Nikolas would still be here." Kevin ventures gently. Stefan nods, still shaking from his emotional outburst. "He would be alive. He would have been home that night with me. Safe. Secure. I vowed to protect him and keep him safe- to his mother, to him, to his father. And I failed." Stefan looks like a broken man. Kevin: "You were used to controlling everything in Nikolas's life, weren't you? You planned for every contingency. Every possible outcome. You planned everything he did." Stefan nods again, "He hated that. He said I manipulated him. I guess I did. But I did it to protect him. To keep him safe." Stefan shakes his head in bewilderment. "But it didn't keep him safe did it? I should have tried harder...." Kevin: "And what could you have done differently? What else could you have controlled? The outside world is uncontrollable, Stefan." Stefan: "I could have done what his grandmother Helena demanded. I could have sent him back to the island. " Kevin: "Obviously there was a reason you didn't." Stefan: "Yes, there were several reasons, actually. Nikolas did not want to return to the Island. He hated his grandmother, and he hated it there. It would have been very difficult keeping him there. And Helena would have tried to kill his spirit, his kindness. The part of him I loved most. Then there was his mother, Laura. Nikolas needed to know her. To feel her love. He couldn't be whole without it." Stefan pauses, "Except, now he's dead, and none of those reasons stack up to that fact." Kevin: "So, do you save the spirit of Nikolas, at the risk of losing him altogether, or do you save Nikolas's body and kill his spirit. Difficult choice. Can you speculated as to what would have happened had he gone back to live on the island?" Stefan considers the question for several moments before answering. "He would have hated me. Helena would have filled him with her poison. and turned him into his father. You see, I wanted Nikolas to be different. I was cocky, I thought I could mold him into man that controlled his own destiny. Capable of being loved, and of loving. Once again, my arrogance was punished." Kevin: "You look exhausted. How long has it been since you allowed yourself to sleep?" Stefan: "Well if you don't count the night I passed out after drinking too much, I would have to say about an hour since Nikolas died. When I sleep I have nightmares of Nikolas calling out to me, asking for help. I wake up in a cold sweat. As you would expect, I do not have any interest in sleep afterwards." Kevin: "You know, you will have to find your own answers to the questions we talked about. But I do have an opinion based on my own experience. Are you interested?" Stefan: "Yes, I value your opinion." Kevin: "The body isn't worth much if a person's spirit is destroyed. I can't tell you the number of people I have seen where the spirit has been damaged beyond repair. My brother was one of them. Maybe I am too. I can tell you this. Both my brother and I would have picked the risk of an early death to preserve our spirits." Stefan takes this in. "Thank you. You have been very kind to come visit me. I do not make friends easily. Your visit today has brought me some comfort and peace. I have a lot to think about." Kevin gets up to leave. Stefan shakes his hand, sincere gratitude is expressed in his face and eyes. Kevin: "Would you mind if I visited you now and then? Alexis would worry less if...." Stefan smiles slightly. "Please do. Talking to you has been very helpful. I am not very good at asking for anything. And I don't trust many people in Port Charles. I have done some things I am not proud of. Because we share this connection through our brothers, I trust you." Stefan walks Kevin to the door. Kevin: "Please call me if you want to talk. I don't have much of a chance to help people anymore. And I've lost many of my friends since my meltdown. I'd like us to be friends." Stefan: "Good night, Kevin." Kevin: "Good night." Stefan makes his way up the stairs. On the way to his bedroom, he glances at Nikolas's door, but does not go in this time. The exhaustion of the last several days hits him like a ton of bricks. He lays down on his bed and immediately falls asleep. ............................. Nikolas is lying on his bed when Miranda enters. He doesn't look at her as she surveys the room damage. Miranda: '"Well, I hope this made you feel better. Glad you finally cleaned up." Nikolas: ' Yeah, feel great. What do you want?" Miranda: " Hey, why the attitude with me??" Nikolas: "Save it, you're working with Jerry and I'm just a job to you." Miranda gently touches his forehead and is surprised when he flinches at her touch. She continues to stroke his face gently as he looks at the wall coldly. Miranda: " You are not just a job to me Nikolas. I thought I had proven that to you by now. I want to ease your pain. Please let me." Nikolas turns from the wall and stares at her. He can't believe he has been letting her suck him in all this time. He can't help but want to believe her though. If only he could trust her. Nikolas: "You can't ease my pain. " Miranda: ' I could try. I could make you forget it for awhile." She walks over to the door and locks it from the inside. She hopes Jerry doesn't become curious and try to open it. She study's Nikolas as he lays on the bed. He really is sexy, she thinks to herself. He has a brooding beauty to him. She climbs on the bed and lays next to him. She pulls him to her and kisses him firmly. He returns her kiss. He pulls away suddenly after a moment. Nikolas: " I can't. You're with Jerry." Miranda: "Nikolas, there is more to it than you know. Trust me. Even though I love him I'm not in love with him anymore. I don't know if I ever was." Nikolas: "And you're in love with me now??" Miranda: ' No, but I do want you, and I know you want me. We're alike, you and I. Both of us are captive here. Maybe not in the same way but close enough to matter. My mother left me too Nikolas. I know how painful family secrets can be." She looks away from him and he realizes that out of everything she has told him up to now, this was the truth. Nikolas: "I'm sorry she left you. " She turns to him and smiles through her tears. He takes her in his arms and strokes her hair. He feels his hormones kick in. He really did want her and if Jerry found out it would be a good way to enact some revenge on him. He wrestles with his conscience, trying to decided what to do. ................ TO BE CONTINUED Chapter 18: Intrigue Bobbie is working at the nurse's station when Laura walks up. Laura: "Hello, Bobbie, how is everything going?" Bobbie looks at Laura coldly, "Oh, everything is just fine. How is saint Laura doing today?" Laura's eyes flash in anger, "Obviously you're still upset about the other morning. Why don't we go talk in the waiting area?" Bobbie:"Well, you don't have to worry Laura, I'll keep your little secret, if only for Luke's sake." They sit down in the waiting area. Laura attempts to make peace. "Bobbie I don't know what I can say to assure you nothing happened. But I just fell asleep, that's all. I would never hurt Luke like that." Bobbie: "Like you didn't hurt Scotty? Come on Laura, I'm not stupid. I know nothing happened. Stefan told me the truth. What I don't get is how you inspire men to protect you all the time. Poor little saint Laura. Well, I'm tired of it. I don't buy your little innocent act. I think if you need comforting for your grief, you should stay close to home. " Laura: "I plan to, Bobbie. Luke and I had a long talk afterwards. I think we came to a new understanding. Luke knows everything except that I ended up falling asleep in Stefan's room. I know it wasn't wise to go to Wyndemere. I know Luke and Stefan hate each other. And I'm sorry to put you in the position of having to keep secrets from Luke. I just don't want to hurt him unnecessarily." Bobbie seems to calm down. "Well, I'm glad we had this talk and cleared the air. I don't see any reason to hurt Luke with this, since it was an accident." Laura."I didn't know that you and Stefan were involved. How long has it been going on?" Bobbie: "Well, we've been together a couple times. Stefan has been very kind to me since my divorce. I don't know if we are really in a relationship or not. Until recently, I wasn't sure If I wanted to be. But I'm hoping once Stefan has gotten over the shock of Nikolas's death, that he will want to pursue one with me." "Are you sure that's a good idea, Bobbie? Stefan is a complicated man, capable of manipulating you to hurt Luke. I worry that he's just using you." Bobbie loses her temper. "Why is it inconceivable to you and everyone else that Stefan might like me and find me attractive?" Laura realizes she made a big mistake, and tries to smooth things over. "I'm sure he does see you as attractive, Bobbie. I'm just concerned that his motives aren't benign. I don't want you to get hurt, that's all." Bobbie:"You know what I think, Laura? I think you're jealous! You want Stefan to yourself. You can't really have him of course. But you don't want anyone else to have him either. Well, I'm sorry. You can't have your cake and eat it too." Bobbie gets up and walks away in a huff. Laura is at a loss of what to do. ....................... Nikolas decides to go with his hormones and pulls Miranda into a deep passionate kiss. He thinks to himself: ' this is the perfect way for her to really believe that I'm under her spell.' Miranda returns the kiss eagerly and pushes Nikolas back on the bed. She breaks their kiss and looks deeply into his eyes. She notices how soulful and pain-filled they are. She thinks to herself: 'this will offer him comfort and put him under my spell.' She finds herself remarkably drawn to him. It doesn't feel like like part of the plan. She's surprised that she really wants him. 'My God, he's still a boy' she thinks to herself. But she knows that the young man has a much older soul then most men twice his age. They give into their desires and make passionate love. Nikolas is surprised at how easy she makes it for him. He hopes his inexperience doesn't show too much. Miranda can't believe at how in synch their bodies are. It's as if they were made for another. She kisses him passionately and gazes into his eyes again. And for a split second she sees happiness. Pure unadulterated happiness. And then as they end their love- making it's gone just as quickly as it appeared. The happy young man is replaced with the pain-filled tortured soul that is being held captive against his will. Miranda: " You were wonderful." Nikolas: "Is their anything else you want from me??" She is surprised at his suddenly cold remark. Nikolas: ' Don't shoot me that bewildered look. I know why you had sex with me. You wanted me to fall in love with you. You wanted to use my feelings for you to manipulate my actions. I'm no fool Miranda." Miranda looks at him and is suddenly hurt. She had enjoyed the closeness they shared and had temporarily forgotten about her plan. And now here he was throwing their beautiful moment in her face as if it was a chore. Miranda: " Nikolas, you're wrong. I do care for you. I did want you. I enjoyed our love-making." Nikolas throws his head back and laughs. " Love-making?? Sex, Miranda. Sex is what we had. There was no love in it for me. Do you think I could love the woman who ripped me from my home? The woman who sleeps with my hateful cousin?? it was sex and you were good. Cheaper than a prostitute I might add. Now leave me. I'm satisfied and have no further use for you." Miranda becomes furious. She can't believe this child, this person she had control over, was speaking to her in this way. Miranda: "How dare you! I gave you part of myself. I confided to you about my mother. how could you do this to me? You're a spiteful little brat!" Nikolas: " And you're a mean deceitful wench! You tried to play on my feelings of abandonment. On all the truths Jerry was "sharing" with me. You knew I needed to love somebody, but more so to be loved by somebody. So you took advantage of it. You kissed me and told me what I wanted to hear. You tried to connect to me by using your abandonment story! That's sick you know. I am sorry your mother left you, but to use that to manipulate me is disgusting. You repulse me more than Jerry!" He looks at her angry face and watches it transform into pain. She looks like a little girl who just got scolded. Good. He accomplished what he wanted to do. Now time to move in for the kill. Nikolas: " At least with Jerry, I know who I'm dealing with. He is a sadistic jerk who hates my guts. He wants to use truths intertwined with lies to hurt me. He wants to break me, to make me into his own personal weapon. I know what to expect from him, so at least I can try and brace myself. You are much more sadistic though. You use that charming smile, and those tender caresses against me. A kind word here and sympathetic glance there. You had sex with me in order to make me fall for you. What does that make you?? You are a real piece of work, Miranda. Now get out of here unless you want seconds. I hear older women like it two or three times, and I do still have some energy left." She walks up to him and smacks him hard across his face. Miranda: " I hate you! I hope Jerry beats the living hell out of you! No wonder your uncle set you up!" Nikolas is more stung by her last words than her slap. He looks up at her with the pain in his eyes. Good, he deserved it, the spoiled brat, she says to herself. She leaves the room quickly. Nikolas lays back on his bed and smiles. "Score one for the child nobody wanted!" ........... Helena studies the two pictures as she picks up the phone receiver. "Yes the pictures came through quite nicely, Gibbons. I had them printed out on the laser printer as soon as they were downloaded. I have to say, the original picture of Stefan and Laura was quite a coupe. What a stroke of luck that you caught them sleeping together." Gibbons: "I'm glad you are pleased, Madame. What did you think of the other one?" Helena examines one of the pictures closely with a magnifying glass. "The man you hired to do the "alterations" is a genius. If I hadn't seen the original first, I would never have guessed that the second one was doctored. Nice work. Remind me to give you a raise." Gibbons: "Thank you, Madame. So what would you like me to do with the picture?" Helena: "Send it in a little love letter to Spencer, anonymous of course. Seeing his wife in bed naked with his archenemy will kill him. And make sure to send it through the Port Charles postal system. We don't want it traced to us." Gibbons: "Excellent, Madame. I'll do it immediately." Helena: "Now on to other business. How is my darling son, Stefan?" Gibbons: "Mrs Lansbury reports that he continues to be distraught, eating nothing and sleeping very little. She overheard him talking with Alexis. He took the bait. Stefan is convinced that Spencer had Sonny kill Nikolas, and he threatened them both." Helena: "Perfect. Then it is time to move forward. The letter will serve as an excellent distraction while phase two is executed. Set the plan in motion, Gibbons." Gibbons: "As you wish, Madame." .......................... Luke walks into his club and goes over to Sonny. Luke:" Hey man. Heard you had a visitor. What's the story??" Sonny:" Cassadine has a death wish, Pops. He came in here spouting off these threats about what will happen if I'm linked to the kid's accident. Then he tells me that killing him would be a favor." Luke: " The kid ran the car off the road. What's that got to do with you, Son?" Sonny:" Seems, the accident was no accident. Somebody offed the kid and all eyes are looking at us." Luke rolls his eyes in annoyance." Great, this is all I need. The vampire already got Laura drunk and had her crash at his haunted mansion. Now if he tells her that I had the kid offed..." Luke waves Mike over to bring him some whiskey. The men sit in silence and drink a couple of shots. Luke: " You didn't take care of the kid as an early Christmas present did you?' Sonny shakes his head." Without you giving me the signal?? Not me Pops. Who else could have done it?" Luke: " Well, just about everyone that crosses the vampire lately has fallen under his spell. Not really sure who would have reason to kill the kid." Sonny:" Well, Mac will be sniffing around us soon. Looks like I'm going to have to solve this "accident" myself, just so my good name doesn't go down for it!" Luke: " Leave Bubba to me. I'm going to check around too. I'm not planning to take the wrap for killing the kid when I didn't have the pleasure of doing it." Sonny:" You really aren't crying over his death are you?? Don't you feel anything??" Luke: " Yeah, fear. If Uncle Steffin blames me for the kid's death then there's no telling how he'll retaliate. We have to find out who did this before he does something." Sonny:" You really think he'll come after you?" Luke: " That kid was his life. If he thinks I killed him he'll come after me and everyone I care about. I have to protect my family." Sonny:" Hey I have guards posted across the street from your house. It's cool man. Just relax. We'll find whoever is responsible and turn them over to Cassadine." They drink a final shot together and then Luke heads to his office. .......................... Stefan is pacing in the living room, talking on the phone. "Ok, what do you have for me on Mr Sonny Corinthos?" Stefan listens intently to the person on the phone. "That's good. Now do you have a man stationed in his organization? He knows his instructions? We will only have one chance to bring Corinthos down. " Stefan sits at the dining room table as he listens to his operative. "Good. I want to be informed immediately of any developments pertaining to Nikolas's murder. I want names and details. Solid information will be generously rewarded." "Oh, and there is one other thing. Will you have Simms check on our guest? I didn't receive the scheduled phone call. I plan to go there in a few days to tell her of Nikolas's death. Please make sure that they keep the papers from her. She deserves to hear it from me." Stefan ends the conversation. This couldn't be over soon enough as far as he was concerned. Chapter 19: THE SET UP Luke comes home to check on the kids. Lucky is playing with Lulu. "Hey, cowboy. How's it going? Hey little princess, how are you sweetie?" Luke give Lulu a kiss. Lucky smiles at his dad. "Hey Dad. Things are going good. Got an A in my last math test." Luke pick up the mail and talks to Lucky absently. "That's great, partner. Keep up the good work, and maybe by the time you're 18, you will have that gambling debt paid off." Lucky laughs. Luke notices an envelope with no return address on it. He examines it suspiciously. It has him puzzled. After being reasonably sure it isn't rigged to blow, he opens it. He is shocked by it's contents. He practically drops it. "What???" Lucky:"What's wrong Dad?" Lucky walks towards his father. Luke comes to, and quickly hides it in his pocket. Luke:"Nothing for you to be worried about, son. Just an unpaid bill." Luke looks visibly shaken, and Lucky doesn't completely believe him. Luke: "Could you watch little Lulu here for awhile? I need to go see your mother." Without waiting for a response, Luke practically bolts out the door. Lucky watches his father leave. "Sure Dad. Whatever." ....................... Stefan arrives at Jax's penthouse suite. Jax promptly answers his door. Jax: "Stefan, come on in. Please accept my condolences on Nikolas. He was a sweet kid." Stefan: "Thank you. I know I'm risking your cover, but need some answers and you are just the man to help me." Stefan and Jax sit down in the living room. Jax: "So what can I do for you, Stefan? I assume this has something to do with Nikolas's death." Stefan: " I need some information on a common enemy." Jax: "And who would that be?" Stefan: "None other than Mr Sonny Corinthos." Jax: "My favorite subject. What do you need to know?" Stefan:"You've had some dealings with the man. What can you tell me?" Jax: "He plays dirty. He doesn't care who he hurts, and he's fiercely loyal. You don't want him as an enemy." Stefan:"What if I told you that Sonny killed Nikolas?" Jax: "Why would Sonny do that? He usually has a reason to kill when he does." Stefan: "For his good friend Luke." Jax: "Ah, that would do it. But my understanding is that Nikolas died in a car accident. Are they now ruling it a homicide?" Stefan gives him the details of the case. Jax shakes his head. "I'm not saying Sonny didn't do it, but it's unlikely." Stefan:"Why?" Jax: "Sonny's late wife died in a mob hit. Her car was blown up. He was devastated by it. If he had Nikolas killed, I think he would have picked a different way. A car bomb would hit too close to home." Stefan is clearly puzzled. Another thing that doesn't make sense. "You're sure about that, Jax?" Jax: "Yeah, I am. Hey, if you do find out it was Sonny. I'd be happy to help you nail the bastard. He's done everything he can to try and destroy me. I wouldn't mind returning the favor." Stefan gets up to leave. "Thank you Jax. The information you provided is most helpful." Jax escorts him to the door. "Good luck, cousin." ...................... Lucky is sitting on the couch playing with Lulu. She is smiling at him as he talks into her toy telephone. "What?? You want to talk to LU?? Okay hold on..psst Lu it's for you.." He hands her the phone and laughs as she jabbers her baby talk into it. As they play, they are oblivious to what's going on outside. The two masked men look at the dead guards and smile. Man1:" That was too easy.. You'd think Corinthos would have better goons." Man2:"Hey silencers are great right. Okay let's cut the chit chat and do our job." They sneak into the Spencer house through one of the back kitchen windows, after disarming the rudimentary burglar alarm. They hide behind the kitchen door when they hear Lucky approaching. Lucky: "Ok, Lu. I'm going to get your milk right now. You keep talking on the phone." Lucky walks into the kitchen. One of the men grabs Lucky from behind and puts a handkerchief over Lucky's face. Lucky makes a short cry before the Chloroform kicks in. Foster is alerted and bounds into the kitchen to attack the intruders. The second man shoots him. The first man throws Lucky over his shoulder and heads out the door. The other masked man carrying Lu right behind him. He muffles her cries, so no one can hear. They get to their van and tie Lucky up. They strap Lu into a baby seat. Man1:" Please tell me this kid isn't going to cry the entire trip?" Man2:" Hey, that's not our problem. All we have to do is deliver them to the drop off point, and we're free and clear." They speed away leaving the Spencer house and Sonny's dead guards behind them. ................. Luke finds Laura working at the hospital. He makes a beeline for her, his face a mask of rage. Laura sees him coming and knows it isn't good. Luke thrusts the envelope in her hand, and explodes. "Don't you at least have the decency to admit that you slept with that Cassadine Bastard??" Luke yells at the top of his voice. Laura looks bewildered. "What?? What are you talking about? Please keep your voice down, you're attracting attention." Luke gestures to the picture. Luke is about as upset as Laura as ever seen him, she is scared. Luke: "A little present from Steffin, obviously. What made you think he'd keep your dirty secret? He loves rubbing my nose in it, that sick bastard. I guess he figured I like a little porno picture of my wife. I'm going to kill him for this!" Laura takes a look at the picture in the envelope. She practically drops it. She gasps. "No!" "In the flesh baby. My dutiful wife in bed with my archenemy. What? Wasn't Stavros enough of a Cassadine for you? Or did you have a thing for Steffin back on the Island? Tell me. How many times have you gone out to Wyndemere for a little tryst? Tell me woman! TELL ME!" People in the hospital gather to watch the fight. Amy notices how terrified Laura is, and leaves to go get help. Laura pleads with Luke, genuinely terrified. "I never slept with Stefan. This never happened, I swear to you. I told you. I would never do that to you. I don't know how these pictures were made, but THIS never happened!" Luke stands over Laura, who is now weeping in one of the couches. "How am I supposed to believe a word you say, when I HAVE A PICTURE THAT TELLS ME DIFFERENTLY!" Laura: "I don't know, Luke, I just don't know! But I didn't sleep with Stefan, I swear to you!" Luke continues to loom over Laura. "What are you? Delusional? Did you block it out? " Laura: "Luke, please. I... I ...was drunk that night. Stefan was very very drunk, He couldn't get up the stairs a...a... alone. I...I... I helped him get up the stairs to bed. But I didn't sleep with him Luke. I fell asleep like I told you. I never took my clothes off. I...I don't know how this happened." Luke: "So when are you going to tell me the REST of the truth Laura? Or should I call you LASHA?? The picture is pretty explicit. You are in Steffin's arms, woman, naked. And so is he! TELL ME THE TRUTH!" Laura: "I... I'm trying, Luke. I fell asleep in Stefan's bed, he passed out as well. We were both very drunk. We both had our clothes on. When I woke up, he was holding me. That's it." Luke: "You expect me to believe that?? Come on, woman. Engage your brain! You are already halfway there. Tell me the truth, dammit! Amy arrives with Bobbie in tow. Bobbie surveys the scene. She advises Amy to disperse the crowd. She interrupts the fight Bobbie:"Excuse me Luke. But this is a hospital. You have no right coming here and making a scene. " Luke glares at Bobbie. Laura looks pleadingly at Bobbie:"Please Bobbie! Tell him. Tell him what you saw. Make him believe me!" Bobbie: "Why don't we take this into someplace private. Shall we?" Bobbie ushers them into a private office. "Ok, tell me what's so horrible that you had to create the scene of the century at GH?" Laura hands over the picture, shakily. "Tell him, Bobbie. Tell him what you saw. Tell him the picture isn't true!" Bobbie looks at the picture and is stunned. Luke eyes his sister suspiciously. "What do you know about this?" Bobbie:"I was at Wyndemere that morning. I found Stefan and Laura in Stefan's room. But they were fully clothed Luke. It was obvious that they'd both slept in their clothes all night. I don't know about this picture. But I think it's fake." Luke: "I'm not EVEN going to ask you why you were there, Barbara Jean! I can guess." Luke takes a look at the picture carefully. Luke: "It looks authentic. Whoever did this, if they altered it, went to a lot of trouble. But why? Unless...." Luke looks panicked. Luke: "Oh God. We need to get home. If this is a set up, we are in deep trouble. We can hash this out later." Laura pulls herself together. "I'll go get my coat and I'll meet you at the elevator in one minute." Laura leaves. Luke:"Barbara Jean, you swear to me that what you just said is true. That you aren't covering for her..." Bobbie: "I swear Luke. On our mother's grave." Luke and Laura leave the hospital at top speed. ................... A few minutes later.... Luke and Laura arrive home with a sinking feeling. The house is empty and unlocked. Luke stealthily checks out the living room and makes his way to the kitchen. He opens the door to find Foster. "No!" Luke whispers. He checks Foster and finds him still alive. Luke enters the living room. "You don't want to go in there. Foster's been shot. The kids are gone!" Chapter 20: BROTHERS Miranda walks into Nikolas room and looks at him coldly. " Get up. Grab your clothes. You're moving to a new room. And this time you have a roommate." Nikolas eyes her suspiciously, but does as she asks. He smiles to himself. They must be moving me in with my grandmother. He is led up some stairs and they stop in front of a door. Miranda: " There is a window in this room too, but if you jump out of it you'll break your neck. Just some food for thought." She opens up the room and shoves him in. The room is dark and he feels for a light. Finally he finds one and as the light comes on he sees his new roommate and lets out a gasp. Lying on one of the two beds in the room is Lucky Spencer. Nikolas approaches the bed cautiously. At first he thinks Lucky is dead, for he doesn't seem to be moving. Then he realizes he is just unconscious as he watches his brother breathe softly. He takes a seat on the other bed and ponders the situation. Why is Lucky here?? And is he the only Spencer held captive? He is brought to attention as he sees Lucky start to move. He walks back over to the bed and watches as Lucky opens his eyes. He smiles when he sees Lucky jump from fright. Lucky: "Oh god. I'm in hell." Nikolas: " You don't realize how close to the truth you are." Lucky: " I don't understand this. You're supposed to be dead." Nikolas: "Surprise. Guess you and your dad will have to postpone that 'he's dead and out-of-our hair party' now." Lucky: " Where am I? Damn, I knew the news of your death was to good to be true." Nikolas: ' I was hoping you could tell me. Looks like you were drugged on your trip here too. Sorry to ruin your day by breathing, but hey, forgive me for not weeping over your disappointment of my being alive." Lucky: "Look Cassadine, leave the attitude for someone who actually care's. Sheesh. I have a huge headache." Nikolas: " Oh I'm sorry. Does baby Lucky need an aspirin? Your headache is the least of your problems." Lucky: " Oh God. Lu! Where is she??" Nikolas: ' What are you talking about?? It's just you and me here..well and our kidnappers and...." Nikolas is interrupted by Lucky jumping up and running to the window. He looks out and then turns to Nikolas. Lucky: " She was in the house with me. If someone grabbed me, then they probably grabbed her too." Nikolas feels his stomach turn as he thinks of Miranda and Jerry with his little sister. He jumps up and starts banging on the door furiously ......................... Miranda is downstairs trying to quiet a crying Lesley Lu. Jerry is growing impatient with the child's wailing. Jerry:" Can't you shut her up?" Miranda: " I'm trying nothing seems to work." Jerry:" Try harder. I can't stand to hear babies cry." Miranda tries to sing to her and the child still cries. She gets loose and runs to the door to Lesley's room. She stands by it and listens to the soothing sound of her grandmother singing. Miranda Jerry exchange glances. Jerry: "Anything to hush her. Take her to the old woman." Miranda lets Lu in and watches as she toddles over to Lesley. Lesley smiles and picks her up. She looks up at Miranda. Lesley: " Did you kidnap my daughter too??" Miranda: "No. look, will you watch her? She seems to like you..." Lesley nods and starts to rock Lu to sleep as Miranda closes the door.She hears the pounding from upstairs and decides to go check things out .......... Miranda opens the door angrily and faces the two teens. Miranda: ' What is all this racket??" Lucky: " Where is my sister??" Nikolas takes a step forward and says menacingly," Answer him, Dammitt." Miranda: " Listen kiddies, I hate to remind you of this, but you are captive's here. You have no say-so or power here. But I will tell you that LesleyLu is fine. " Nikolas takes another step towards her. His anger boiling over. "Listen to me loud and clear, you want to play games with me and Spencer over here, so be it. But you'd better keep Lu out of this!" Miranda looks hard at him. Miranda: " It's not wise to make threats you can't back up little man. I'd hate to have Jerry come in here and deal with you." Nikolas: "Really? Perhaps Jerry would want to know about my extra special treatment last night." Miranda get's a little nervous but holds her ground. " If you have a death wish, go for it." Lucky eyes them both intently taking in the scene. Finally he speaks. " I want to see her." Miranda: " Not now. Maybe tomorrow. Now have a nice chat and get some sleep. Any more banging and I'm sending Jerry up here." With those words she closes the door. Nikolas moves back to his bed and lies down with an exasperated sigh. Lucky eyes him with disgust. Lucky: " So, that's it. We accept this?" Nikolas: " Look, fighting with her will get you nowhere. And you really don't want Jerry to come in here." Lucky: "Look, man. I'm not afraid of him. I'm going to get out of here.'" Nikolas looks at him with a smug smile. He rolls his eyes and sighs. Nikolas: "Which plan you gonna use?? 'F'?? 'J'?? Or 'K' for kidnapping? Face it Spencer. You're stuck here. Just get used to it and deal with it." Lucky: "You know, you're really starting to bug me, man. You know considering the view from the window, I'm willing to bet there are stairs here. Wanna make another smart remark? We know your family's history with staircases. Hate to see you get in another accident." Nikolas rises from the bed and gives Lucky a threatening look. Nikolas: " Look, don't try me. I've been through hell the past few days. You don't want me take it out on you. That's just what they want. They want us to fight and I won't be played anymore." Lucky looks at Nikolas and realizes he speaks the truth. He can see the exhaustion and anguish in his brother's eyes. He also notices the bruises on his face. Lucky: " What happened to your face??" Nikolas: "I had some discipline lessons. Let me warn you now. Don't cross Jerry. He has a wicked temper and won't hesitate to teach you a few lessons too." Lucky starts pacing the room anxiously. He feels confined in the room and decides he has to find a way out. He goes back to the window and eyes it.It would be a long way down, but he was willing to risk it. He picks up a chair and swings it towards the window. Nikolas stops the chair before it hits the window. Nikolas: "What in the hell are you doing? Are you really that stupid?" Lucky: "Trying to get the hell out of here! Give me the chair back." Lucky lunges for the chair, but Nikolas knocks him to the floor. Lucky jumps up and takes a swing at Nikolas who ducks and narrowly misses having his face hit. Lucky: " Look Cassadine, maybe you like being here, but I'm getting out.. Now move!" Nikolas feels his temper rising. Unable to contain himself anymore he wrestles Lucky to the ground. Once he has him pinned he smacks him across the face. Nikolas: ' Listen and listen good. They have Lesley Lu down there. I will not endanger her for your futile escape plans! Now, I checked out the window, you'd break your stupid little neck if you tried to get out that way. And as happy as that would make me, our sister might actually miss you. Or worse yet, they might harm her to make up for your ignorance. Now if I have to sit on you and smack sense into your hard head for the entire time we're here, so be it! Otherwise get a hold of that damn Spencer temper and act your age." Lucky is fuming as he stares at Nikolas with hatred in his eyes. He has to admit Nikolas has a point. He can't risk Lu's safety. " Fine, I'll chill..now get off me, " Lucky says through his teeth. Nikolas climbs off him and sits on the floor. He looks at Lucky who is doing the same and they both glare at each other in silence for several minutes. Finally, Lucky speaks. "So, who is behind this??" Nikolas: "They tell me my Uncle Stefan is. That he organized this to take my place in the family. Supposedly he never cared for me and his love for me was a farce. All part of his master plan." Nikolas looks down sadly and Lucky wrestles with his conscience. He could tell Nikolas about his Uncle's despair over his death or he could let him suffer. As he studies Nikolas's face, he can tell he has been suffering since he got here. Lucky: ' That doesn't make sense." Nikolas: " Why not??" Lucky: " Look, your Uncle was devastated when everyone heard about your death. Heck, Mom was too." Lucky notices the surprised look on Nikolas face and is puzzled. Lucky: "Why do you look so shocked?? Wait don't tell me. Our kidnappers told you that Mom hated you too, right?" Nikolas shrugs his shoulder noncommittally. Lucky"Man, they've both been zombies since the news of your death. Heck a couple nights ago, Mom went out driving all night cause she was so grief stricken. Who knows where she went. Anyway, trust me, they both love you. These jokers are playing head games with you." Nikolas feels the relief wash over him. It feels like an enormous weight has been lifted off his chest miraculously. Nikolas: ' Okay if he didn't do it..then who??" and then it hit's him."THAT VIPER FROM HELL!" Lucky turns to him in confusion again. Lucky: " What?" Nikolas: " My grandmother.. Kidnapping is her style. She hates your family enough to kidnap you and LesleyLu, as revenge." Lucky: " Why would she kidnap you?" Nikolas: " I refused to claim her anymore. I blamed her for our grandmother Lesley's death, and for kidnapping my mother. My Uncle supported my decision. She was enraged." Lucky: "Angry enough to do this to you?? To her own grandson??" Lucky shakes his head in utter disbelief. What a sick family. Nikolas: "What has Luke told you about my grandmother?" Lucky: "Lots of things, basically she's a murdering witch." Nikolas: "Well, I hate to say it, but your father was right on the money. Yes she would do this in retaliation. Everything makes sense now. Making it look like I was dead would kill my Uncle. Kidnapping you would torture Laura and Luke. And they'd probably suspect my Uncle did it." Lucky: " Well, talk around town was that your Uncle refused to believe it was an accident." Nikolas: 'Yeah, that would make sense. Make him blame Spencer and Spencer blame him. Then they'd kill each other. I can't believe I didn't see this before. Lesley told me my Uncle loved me." Lucky: "Lesley??" Nikolas looks at Lucky and remembers that he doesn't know. Nikolas: " Our grandmother is alive. She is here, being held captive too. Seems my Uncle spared her from death because of his love for me and my mother." Lucky flinches at his last sentence, but questions Nikolas further. Lucky: "Wait, my grandmother is here? Not dead?? How do you know this?? Have you seen her?? How is she??" Nikolas: "Slow down. Sheesh, you ask a lot of questions. I spoke to her through my wall in the other room I was held in. She sounded okay, but I haven't seen her. She sings a lot. She nice to me when Jerry was particularly cruel. And believe me particularly cruel for Jerry is an accomplishment." Lucky: "Great. My sister is Gods knows where, my grandmother is alive, but locked in a room singing. I'm stuck in a room with you, and my parents are probably going nuts right now." Nikolas: " Look, this isn't a picnic for me either. You think I want to be here with you?? Like I approve of my grandmother being held captive? I fear for Lesley Lu too. And my Uncle is probably near suicide at this point! At least your parents have hope you're alive. He believes I'm dead!" They stand facing each other both locked in their own confusion and helpless frustration. Both are thinking to themselves, "how am I going to get out of this mess?" .............. Miranda is laying in bed next to Jerry. She tries to sleep but all she can think about is her liaison with Nikolas. How good he felt to her. She hates herself for even giving it a second thought. He made his feelings for her clear. That brat had the nerve to reject her. Who did he think he was? Jerry interrupts her thoughts, " What are you thinking about?" Miranda: " Nothing really. Just wondering when this job will be over." Jerry: " We have a while yet to go. Those boys are in for a real treat tomorrow." Miranda listens to him laugh and feels her stomach start to turn. She always admired his cruel nature before, but now it didn't seem desirable. He really was sadistic, just as Nikolas said. She lets Nikolas's cruel words sink in. He's right. I did sleep with him to make him trust me. What does that make me??...She closes her eyes, not wanting to ponder the answer. .................. In the boys room they are both lying on their beds ignoring the other. Both lost in their own train of thought. Lucky thinks about his parents coming home to an empty house, and silently curses Helena Cassadine for doing this to his family. Nikolas is praying. Praying that his Uncle won't lose himself in his grief and that he finds out that Nikolas really is alive. And he curses his grandmother for doing this to his family ............... Lesley Webber is lying on her bed with Lesley Lu cradled in her arms. She thinks of her grandsons. She thinks of her daughter and son-in law who must be going out of their mind with worry over the missing kids. And she thinks of Stefan Cassadine. The man who has been her only link to the real world all these years. The man who was kind and shared stories of Nikolas's childhood with her. He must be in total devastation by now. That boy was his life and now he thinks he's dead. And she thinks of Helena Cassadine, the woman responsible for it all. And she curses her. For everything she has done to her family Chapter 21: The Plot Thickens Jerry enters Nikolas's and Lucky's room, and greets them with a jovial smile. Nikolas is immediately suspicious. Jerry: "Well good morning. Did you both have a good night's sleep? Nikolas glares at Jerry, but holds his tongue: "About as good as could be expected under the circumstances." Lucky looks back and forth from Jerry to Nikolas. He notices Nikolas's hostility, and Jerry's friendliness. He is wary. Jerry: "And you, Lucky? I hope you are comfortable?" Lucky feels nervous seeing Jerry act so polite. Given what Nikolas told him, this isn't what he expected. His intuition tells him to be careful, this man could be very dangerous. "I'm fine." Lucky says guardedly. Jerry smiles gently back. "Good. It is important that you are comfortable. Now, I would like to get to know you Lucky, since we are going to be coexisting for a while. Shall we go downstairs and have a chat?" Lucky feels terrified, he knows this isn't good. He looks to Nikolas for help, but Nikolas won't look at him. This scares Lucky even more. He doesn't move. Jerry is getting impatient, but he doesn't show it. He hadn't expected that the Spencer kid would be such a chicken. "Lucky, I don't know what Nikolas has told you. But I am sure it was an exaggeration. I won't bite you. Come along, it is time we get to know each other." Lucky gathers up his courage and follows Jerry out of the room. Jerry escorts him downstairs to the room Nikolas used to stay in. Lucky sees a table with a couple of chairs, and a bed in corner. He sits in one of the chairs, and looks at the floor. Jerry: "Now tell me Lucky. Has Nikolas been treating you ok? I notice the bruise on your face. I don't think it was there when you came here. Did he hit you?" Lucky relaxes a bit at Jerry's expressed concern. Jerry seems okay. Maybe Nikolas was the one who provoked Jerry. Lucky: "Yeah, I'm fine man. We just had a little disagreement, that's all. I can handle it." Jerry: "Well, my cousin needs to learn some manners and self-control. You just make sure to tell me when he gets out of hand. Do you have any questions about your stay here?" Lucky thinks for a moment. "Yeah, a few. Where's my sister? Why did you take me and Lulu?" Jerry is pleased when he sees Lucky relax more. He is accomplishing his mission. He wants Lucky comfortable and relaxed. "Your sister is fine. She is being taken care of by one of our other guests, an elderly woman, who seems to have a way with her. Now as to your other question. Stefan is the mastermind behind the kidnapping. You see he wants your mother, Laura, to himself." Lucky shakes his head. "No way man. My Mom would hate him if he took us. And my Dad would kill him." As soon as the words are out of his mouth, he realizes his mistake. Rule #1: never let your enemy know anything. Lucky immediately clams up. Jerry smiles to himself. The kid is smart. Playing with him will be fun. "But you see, Stefan has no intention of letting your mother know it is him that took you. He will get her to rely on him. You see she's already half his. He just has to become her hero. And destroy your father in the process." Lucky just shakes his head. He can't help but react to Jerry insinuations "No way. My Mom is devoted to my Dad." Jerry gives Lucky a sympathetic look. "It's not fair, is it Lucky? To be kept in the dark like this. Your mother is not as devoted as you think." Lucky starts to get angry. "You're lying, man!" Jerry shakes his head is somber disagreement. "Well, it is probably better for you to believe that." Jerry starts to get up. Lucky is completely hooked. "What are talking about? Tell me!!" Jerry looks back at Lucky with an uncertain look. "You're just a kid. You don't need to know this...." Lucky: "What??! Listen I can take anything, man. I'm practically an adult!" Jerry: "Ok, I suppose you have a right to know the truth." Jerry takes an envelope out of his breast pocket, and puts in on the table. He slides the envelope towards Lucky. Lucky can't resist. He quickly opens the envelope. It is a picture of his mother in bed with Stefan Cassadine. Lucky is speechless. Jerry looks at Lucky's response and thinks 'Bingo, I got him.' Jerry's face takes on a concerned look. He quickly removes the envelope and puts it away. "I'm sorry Lucky. I shouldn't have shown you that. This truth was just too painful for you..." Lucky regains his voice, "IT'S A LIE!" Jerry shakes his head. "I'm afraid not. The good thing though, is Stefan has no intention of harming you or Lulu. And faking Nikolas's death was a way for him to get close to your mother, break her defenses down. Once she is his, and your father has been eliminated. You will be returned. In the meantime, we've been instructed to keep you comfortable." Lucky feels the tears well up in his eyes, but he refuses to let them fall. "When did THIS take place??" Jerry: "You mean your mother and Stefan?" Jerry watches Lucky nod. "The night of Nikolas's memorial service." Lucky uses all his strength to keep himself from crying. Jerry: "Are you okay, Lucky?" Lucky: "I just want to be alone for a bit." Jerry gets up and puts his hand on Lucky's shoulder. "Sure, whatever you want. You just knock on the door when you want out, okay?" Lucky nods. Lucky shakes with silent sobs as Jerry leaves the room. ...................... Laura watches Luke talking on the phone to Mac. She is in shock. So much has happened, yet she feels numb. She hears Luke beg Mac to hurry and to bring a vet. She thinks about Foster, lying in agony after trying to save her kids. Her babies. Oh god, her babies!! She starts to shake as Luke puts down the phone. Luke:"Help is on the way baby." Laura:"Who would do this Luke???!!! My children are gone!! I just put one child in the ground and now my other two are missing!!! Why Luke???!!" Laura screams hysterically. Luke is also shaken, but he maintains control as he tries to calm his frantic wife. He pulls her into his arms and whispers soothingly. " It's okay baby. We'll get our kids back. Lucky is a smart kid, he'll protect Lulu." Laura: "How Luke?? We couldn't protect our kids. How is our son going to protect his sister?? Instead of being here and watching our children, we were screaming over that damn picture!" As Laura's words echo in the room they both look at each other knowing the same thought is in both of their heads. In union they both say."Stefan!" Luke feels his blood boil as he thinks of his kids in that mans hands. He fights the urge to head out the door to go kill him. He knows his wife needs him right now. Laura finally speaks. Laura:' Why?! Why would he do this??" Before Luke can answer, Mac and Garcia come in, followed by a veterinarian and an army of cops. And finally, Sonny Corinthos. Luke passes Mac and goes to Sonny. Luke:' I'm sorry about your men. " Sonny:" Cassadine behind this?? If so, he's a dead man. They were good guys. They didn't deserve to die." Luke:" Who else would pull this stunt? He thinks I had you off his baby nephew so now my kids are gone." Sonny:" Does Laura know he blames you and me?" Luke" I didn't tell her. I will though. God man, my kids. I have to get my kids back. Killing Cassadine now will be signing their death certificates." They stand in silence and watch as Mac instructs his people to dust everything for prints and to take the house apart for evidence. Mac approaches Sonny and Luke as Laura and Garcia join them. Mac: " Okay, we are doing everything we can to get Lulu and Lucky back ASAP. From the looks of things, this was done by professionals. Any ideas who could be behind it??" Laura and Luke exchange glances. Laura:" Stefan Cassadine is the only person I can think of." Mac: " Stefan?? Why??" Luke:" Because he thinks I killed Nikolas. Wonder where he got that notion from?" Luke looks at Mac hard and Mac returns the stare. Mac: ' Look, I gave Cassadine the information I came across. If he decided it was you and Sonny then he came to his own conclusions. So you think this was retaliation?" Sonny:' Give the Commissioner a gold star. By George, I think he's got it." Mac: " Enough Sonny. Why are you here?" Sonny gives Mac one of his icy looks:"Two of my employees just got carted off in body bags and my best friend's kids are missing. Figure it out." Laura interrupts their exchange. Laura:"Wait, Nikolas died in a car accident. Why would Stefan think Luke and Sonny were behind it?" The men exchange looks and finally Mac speaks. Mac: " Laura, Stefan asked me to investigate the accident further. Nikolas died from a blow to the head before the accident took place, the car was rigged to explode." Laura starts to shake as she lets the news sink in. Laura:" Murdered?? My son was murdered!!" She looks at Luke and Sonny and they stare at her trying to convince her silently they weren't behind it. Luke:" Baby, I didn't want to tell you about this. You were already suffering so much." Laura:" It was hard knowing he died in an accident, but to be killed on purpose?" She sinks to the floor in sobs. Luke pulls her up and holds her tightly. Luke:" It's gonna be okay baby, shhhh." Laura:" It's not going to be okay Luke! If Stefan thinks you killed Nikolas he may have already killed Lu and Lucky!! or they could be missing for years. I know what being captive by the Cassadines is like!! Not my children!! Why them??" Mac and Sonny silently excuse themselves, both assuring that they will keep them informed on what turns up. Luke walks with Laura out to the porch and they hold on to each other tightly. Luke:" Baby, we've won the every time we've battled the Cassadines. This time is no different. We'll get our kids back and Stefan will pay." Laura:"I'm so tired of fighting, Luke. One of my sons is dead. My other two kids are in the hands of the very people who kidnapped me." Luke:" Baby, you aren't too tired. You and me babe..we can get through this. We have to stick together and pool our resources. that's why we've always won. Together we are a force to be reckoned with. Lean on me baby if your weak, but God darlin' don't stop fighting! This is our hardest battle yet. They have our kids and baby we're getting them back!" Laura feels herself strengthen at Luke's words. She holds onto him tightly and speaks. Laura:" Perhaps I'm what he wants. Maybe the kids are his way of getting me." Luke:" Baby, he wants you, yes. But I think the kids are his way of getting to me. He wants me to suffer for killing his dad, uncles and brother's and now for killing Nikolas. I swear to you baby, I didn't have anything to do with his death though. Sonny didn't either." Laura:" I believe you Luke. Okay, so what do we do now?" Luke:" I'm going to see Sonny. I'll be back shortly. They're plenty of cops here. You'll be safe." She hugs him again and then watches him leave. She thinks about Stefan. The man who grieved with her over Nikolas, comforted her on that damn island in Greece. Her friend and admirer. She thinks about his profession in the park about his undying love for her. How could he do this to her, and what could she do to convince him to release her kids? She prays that Luke will understand her reasons for what she's about to do . "I have to save my kids regardless of the price!" She says to herself. She heads to her car and prays again for the strength to deal with the devil. .................. Jerry escorts Lucky out of the room. They meet Miranda who is in the living room area. Jerry: "Miranda, why don't you go get Lulu and let them visit, while I go up and visit with Nikolas?" Miranda gives Lucky an encouraging smile, and watches Lucky's face light up at the idea of seeing his sister. " Sure. I'll be right back." Once Miranda returns with Lulu, Jerry leaves them to go visit with Nikolas. When Jerry enters the room, he sees Nikolas pacing the floor. Jerry smirks as he addresses Nikolas. "A little nervous, are we?" Nikolas glares back at Jerry. "Where is he?" Jerry: "Why he's just fine. I didn't think you cared that much for him. At the moment he's having a emotional reunion with his little sister." Nikolas: "I don't care about him. I was just curious, that's all. So when do I get to see Lulu?" Jerry:"For now, you don't. You see, there's no reason for you to get attached to that child. Your mother will never allow you to have a relationship with Lulu anyway, seeing as how you are a dangerous Cassadine." Nikolas rolls his eyes: "So you're going to start that again, are you? Don't you realize by now that I don't believe anything you say? I know for a fact that all that crap you told me about Uncle is a lie." Nikolas's insolence irritates Jerry, but he holds his anger in check. He knows he has a better way to get to Nikolas. Jerry feigns interest, "Oh really? What do you think I lied about?" Nikolas: "I know those letters are a lie for one. Uncle would never leave that kind of stuff lying around. And I really doubt that he's in love with my mother, I think you made that all up. I also know that Uncle did not order my kidnapping, he believes I'm dead, and he's grieving for me." Jerry: "Well I'm so sorry to burst your bubble Nikolas. But you leave me no choice. It is important that you know the truth." Jerry pulls the picture out of his pocket, and throws it at Nikolas. Nikolas looks at the picture and pales. He can't believe his eyes. His uncle with his mother. They looked like they were peacefully sleeping after a night of passion. "Your uncle didn't lose anytime after you "died". Does he look like he's grieving to you? Lucky can tell you when they had this little tryst. It was the eve of your glorious memorial service. Come to think of it, your mother doesn't seem that upset either. He's taken your place as THE Cassadine and he's taken your mother." Nikolas fights to keep control of his anger. He knows that if he's to be successful, in fighting his cousin, he needs to find the inconsistencies. After a few moments, he succeeds. Nikolas: "Nice try. But that doesn't wash. If my mother was so afraid of the Cassadines, then why would she sleep with my Uncle?" Jerry realizes his mistake, but tries to cover. "Perhaps your Uncle caught her at a weak moment. I can't read her mind." Nikolas: "And why would my Uncle kidnap her kids, if she's already sleeping with him?" Jerry becomes uncomfortable trying to respond questions he doesn't have answers to. He decides to end the conversation. "I don't know, I'm not a mind-reader, Nikolas. Perhaps he hopes to be her hero by returning her kids, further drawing her away from Spencer." Nikolas: "Well, well, cousin. I guess you don't know as much as you say you do." Nikolas smiles with satisfaction. Jerry hits Nikolas where it hurts. "That insolence has cost you your sister. You've lost the privilege of visits with Lulu for the foreseeable future. I was going to allow you to see her too, even though Stefan advised against it." Nikolas glares at Jerry with pure hatred. Jerry:"Oh, and another thing. You must treat Lucky better. I noticed the bruises on his face. Stefan will be very disappointed when I tell him that you hit Lucky. You see, Lucky is to be treated very well while he's here. Uncle Stefan knows how much his Lasha loves Lucky and Lulu. What happens to you really doesn't matter because you're supposed to be dead." Jerry leaves the room, slamming the door. .................. Lucky bounds into the room after spending a long time with his sister. He hasn't forgotten their predicament, but at least Lulu is okay and relatively happy. And Lucky had to admit to himself that Jerry and Miranda were treating them pretty well. Nikolas scowls at Lucky, "Well, you're acting like you are on some kind of vacation rather than being held hostage. Wake up, kid, you're in hell." Lucky rolls his eyes at Nikolas "Well, I don't know what you do to Jerry, but he's been very nice to me. He let me see Lulu and have lunch with them. Which is a damn sight better than hanging out with you, man." Nikolas: "What planet on you on? Is this how Spencer taught you to handle being held hostage? Play nice and enjoy yourself? Well I guess my Uncle prepared me better than your brainless father!" Lucky loses his temper at the mention of his father. He stands face to face with Nikolas, challenging him. "Well I'd much rather have my father as a role model than you're Uncle! Your uncle is pitiful, man! He's so desperate to have a woman that kidnaps her kids to get her. Can't he get his own woman instead of stealing someone else's?!" Nikolas: "Well, what does that say about your mother and father, huh? Their great love falls apart at the least sign of trouble. Well, I never deluded myself about our mother. It's always been easy for her to turn her back on those that count on her! What does that make her?!" Lucky pushes Nikolas away, as if to start a fight. He's fuming and he wants Nikolas to take a swing at him. All his anger at Stefan Cassadine is just begging for a release. ................................ Jerry has some headphones on, which are attached to some sophisticated equipment. He turns a switch, pulls off the headphones, and laughs. Miranda: "What are you laughing at Jerry?" Jerry: "Sweetheart, your idea of putting a bug in their room was brilliant. You should have listened to them fight! This part of the plan is so much fun." Miranda sits in his lap and smiles as she pulls him into a passionate kiss. Miranda: "I'm so glad you're pleased, darling. You know I always aim to please." NEXT