CHAPTER 23: PREPARATION   Scott Baldwin walks across the cemetery and stands a discreet distance from the kneeling figure at Luke's grave. After a minute, he clears his throat loudly. The woman jumps up and glares at him, "Scott, why the hell did you just scare me like that!?" Scott smiles, "Well, Lisa, I am a bit surprised that you're here. After all, it wasn't like you were close to your father. Neither was Jennifer, for that matter, at least, not since you were conceived." "Leave my mother out of it. And as for me visiting my father's grave...well, that's my business, isn't it?" Scott shrugs. "Have it your way." She walks over to him, "What are you doing here anyway?" she asks teasingly. Scott wraps his arms around her, "I just wanted to see if you were okay. You know how I worry about you, Lisa. I was really surprised when you called and said you were coming to Port Charles." Lisa shakes free of his grasp. "Yeah, I'm just fine, thanks. My coming to Port Charles didn't really have anything to do with you and you know it." Scott smiles again, ignoring her last comment, "You know, the police here are going to want to question you about your mother's disappearance." Shrugging, Lisa says, "It was ten years ago. If I knew where she disappeared to, I would be more than happy to tell all the proper authorities about it." "You're lying. I think..." Lisa cuts him off, "I really don't care what you think. As for my honesty, that's really none of your business. Now if you'll excuse me." She starts to walk off, but Scott catches her by the arm. He wheels her around to face him, "If I were you, Miss Smith, I would watch where I step very carefully. Unless, of course, you want the whole town to know that you're Frank Smith's illegitimate granddaughter." Lisa slaps him, then gets right up in his face, threateningly, "Stay out of my way, Scott, or my boss will see that things get very uncomfortable for you." Lu and Dylan are in Lucky's kitchen. Both of them are working around the stove. Lu reaches across the counter to get something. So does Dylan. She turns around and nearly runs into him. They both begin laughing. "Your brother's kitchen is really only big enough for one person." Lu smiles, "Well, he's in here so rarely, it doesn't matter anyway." Dylan returns the smile, "I wondered why he was keeping such a discreet distance." Lu goes to move around him, "Anytime he gets within ten feet of here, something burns." They both jump at the sound of someone knocking loudly on the front door. "Lucky'll get it," Lu loudly whispers. In the living room, Lucky wanders over to the door. Right before he can open it, Nik throws the door open and storms in. He holds up a paper to Lucky. "Okay Spencer, explain this." Lucky gives Nik a sideways glance, "Whoa, Nikky. You stay up past your bedtime? You're a bit cranky." "Not funny brother. Now listen. The Nurse's Ball is tomorrow. This is the attendance list. I want background checks on all the individuals with a star next to their names." Lucky throws his hands up in the air. "Not my job. Besides, you usually have someone else do that sort of thing." "Not this time." Nik paces a bit before calming down. "Okay. I'll take care of it." He changes topics, "Have you heard anything else about Yagi? I want to know who is trying to make Cassadine Inc. look bad." Lucky shakes his head, "Let's not talk about this here and now." "Why not?" As if on cue, Lu comes bouncing in and throws her arms around Nik, "Hey Nik!" Nik quickly disengages himself. "What are you doing here, Little Sister?" Lu frowns and mocks Nik's stern tone, "Well Big Brother, for your information, I'm visiting Lucky." She puts her hands on her hips, "Is that a problem?" Nik smiles slightly, "No, of course not." Nik starts to walk towards the door, Lu goes back in the kitchen. Lucky walks next to Nik. "What's got you so upset, Man?" Lucky asks. Nik asks harshly, "Why didn't you tell me Lesley Lu was here?" Lucky returns his glare. "You saw her for yourself; Mom knew she was here." More harshly, he adds, "Face it, I took care of her long before you ever knew she was alive. You can trust me to take care of her. Lulu is my sister too." Nik puts his hand up in defeat, "I'm sorry. It's been a difficult day." Lucky slaps him on the back affectionately, "Don't worry about it. I understand." Nik leaves without another word. Lucky stares strangely at the closing door. Lu and Dylan both come out of the kitchen. "What was with him?" Lu asks. Lucky shrugs, "Hell if I know." "Who was that?" Dylan asks. Lu and Lucky exchange glances. Lucky says, "Our brother." Lu grimaces. Dylan looks down at Lu, who looks back at him and smiles. She sniffs the air, "Something burning?" she says, anything to break the slight tension. She goes back into the kitchen. Dylan follows her. "I thought Lucky was your only brother." Lu shakes her head. "I don't always claim Nik." "Why?" "Consequences," she says ambiguously. "You forgive me?" she asks him flirtatiously. He grins and wraps his arms around her, "This time," he says jokingly before kissing her. Back in the living room, Lucky flops on the sofa and picks up the paper. He flips through to the wedding announcements. There, in black and white, was the announcement for Tommy and Emily. He read through it quickly. One thing catches his attention. The wedding is in three weeks. "That's a little fast, isn't it Em?" he asks her picture. Another knock on the door distracts him, "Who is it?" he bellows. "It's me, Lucy," the voice on the other side of the door states. Lucky quickly gets up and opens the door, letting her in, "What a surprise, beautiful. To what do I owe this honor?" Lucy puts her hand on Lucky's cheek. "You're so cute. Just like Luke." "Thanks." "Okay, now I want to make sure you and Lulu are all set for your Nurse's Ball act again this year." "Isn't it a little late to be asking?" Lucy shrugs and smiles, "Well, Laura assured me that you two would be performing. You know, that cute little hip hop thingy you've been doing for years?" "But what's the point? People would pay for us NOT to do it this year. It's getting old, babe." Lucy takes on a mock evil tone, "Now look Spencer, you WILL do this for me, you understand?" Then she adds sweetly, "Please, buddy, pal, friend. Please, please, please???" Lu and Dylan come back into the living room. "Lucy, just the person I wanted to see," Lu smiles sweetly. Lucy looks at the two of them and smiles, "Oh aren't you two just so cute together. I mean, you two are perfect for each other." "Lucy, don't encourage them," Lucky breaks in, smiling. "We have an idea," Dylan says. "For the Nurse's Ball. Lu and I want to do an act together." Lucky laughs out loud, knowing Stefan will have a fit. Lu glares at him. "Not funny Lucky. Dylan and I practiced this earlier. We're good." Lucky nods. "I'm sure. But who will be my hip hop partner?" he says as he does a few quick moves across the floor. "I have an idea." Lucy pipes up. "Why don't the three of you hip hop? Or wait, I have a better idea. Nikolas. He could do it. It would be like a brother routine. We don't have one of them this year. How about it Lucky, what do you think? No wait, I know you'll do it. But he won't. Oh poo, are you gonna find a new partner or do this one solo?" Lucky nods quickly, trying to follow the conversation. "I'll find someone Lucy, don't worry," he says slowly. Lucy smiles again, "Okay! Ta!" She starts to leave, then turns around, "Just remember, practice, practice, practice! See you tomorrow, ta!" She leaves just as quickly as she rushed in. Dylan looks from Lu to Lucky, "Does she make either of the two of you tired when she talks to you?" Lu and Lucky just both look at him and laugh. Derek Barrington is trying on his tuxedo, to see if it still fits. The phone rings. "Yes?" "We've set it up. The plan is in motion." The voice is that of his dark haired, wiry partner. Derek smiles, "Tomorrow?" "Yes." "Good. The Nurse's Ball will be the perfect cover." Derek hangs up the phone. "Prepare to pay, Cassadine," he says aloud.