Chapter One Hundred Fifty-Four:
Taking Care of Business

Kelly's.

Carly is siting at a table, with Michael, watching him play with a matchbox care, racing it around his place mat. She glances down at her watch. She should never have expected Luke to be on time. However, just the fact that he had called her was so violently out of character that she didn't know what to expect. She hears the doors chime and looks up, seeing Luke enter. He crosses to her, pulling up a chair, and not acknowledging Michael. Carly frowns)

Carly: Hey.

Luke: You're on time.

Carly: You're not. (Luke leans over and picks up the coffee Carly was drinking, and takes a long swig from it, then slams it down on the table)

Luke: What is it you think you can do, Carly.

Carly: Excuse me?

Luke: You said, you'd help me find Lucky if you could.

Carly: Yeah…

Luke: What do you think you can do? (Carly glances over at Michael, who has stopped his play and is staring at his great-uncle in some amazement)

Carly: (warily) Uh… You tell me.

Luke: Ok. Look. The young Prince up and disappears…

Carly: Yeah, I got that part.

Luke: Stefan's going to be chasing his tail on this one for a little while. Doesn't know who snatched his pride and joy… could have been Helena, could have been me… See, the advantage here is I know I didn't do it. But that still leaves me with two choices.

Carly: Which are?

Luke: Helena's flown off with the boy to have him fulfil his demonic little destiny… Which isn't going to make my heart bleed… OR…

Carly: Or.

Luke: My son's involved. (Carly grimaces)

Carly: That's… A bit out there.

Luke: You think.

Carly: Well… Sort of. I don't think you have to twist Lucky's arm too hard to get him to play hero…

Luke: Yeah, I thought you'd be the person to talk to about that. (Carly stares at him a moment, then looks back at Michael).

Carly: You mean about AJ?

Luke: You know damn well what I mean. (Carly makes a face, then turns her attention to Michael again.)

Carly: Hon… (Michael is still fixated on Luke, who finally acknowledges him and gives quick smile.) Michael. (Michael tears his gaze away, towards his mother.)

Michael: Humm?

Carly: Honey, why don't you let Mommy and Uncle Luke talk, ok? You can go show your car to Aunt Ruby, ok? (Michael looks down at the car, a look of discovery on his face. Carly clears her throat.) Look, tell her you can have a cookie, ok? (Michael looks up at her, and smiles)

Michael: Ok. (He scrambles down from the chair with Carly's help, then runs unsteadily towards Ruby, who is just appearing out the kitchen door. Carly watches him carefully, waiting until Ruby has encountered her son, picked him up, and silently communicated to her that the child is in safe hands before she turns back to Luke).

Carly: I know Michael's still young, but I don't want him to hear about that.

Luke: Your call.

Carly: I kinda assumed Lucky told you the story.

Luke: I want your side of the story. (Carly twists a ring around her finger, feeling oddly nervous. She takes a deep breath)

Carly: Ok. My side… No one EVER asks for my side. (Luke shrugs. Carly glances over at Michael and Ruby, at the counter together, again) You know it's been over six months since he saw his father.

Luke: Your choice.

Carly: (turning back) No. It wasn't my choice. I mean, that wasn't what I was looking for. Believe it or not, when I married AJ, I meant it. After everything that went down with Jason, I was really ready to get the hell out of that situation and AJ gave me a pretty good solution. I didn't marry him to divorce him, it wasn't like that. No matter what everyone thought at the time. (Luke sits back, prepared for this to take awhile.)

Luke: But you changed your mind. (Carly nods, staring at the tabletop. She leans forward, resting her elbows on the table)

Carly: I think I might have loved AJ. I really do, at some point… I mean, he wasn't always awful. He sure as hell GOT awful, but in the beginning, he was sweet, but… He kinda fixated on Jason, you know? And he just couldn't get past it. Like not only was his family always comparing him to Jason, but I must be too, right? It was totally impossible. And I hated it. That whole house, I just… (She puts her head in her hands, cringing) You think it's messed up to visit? Try living there, Luke. It's totally extreme. And every time I turned around there was someone trying to tell me what to do with my son… you know, they had a nanny? It was totally not my idea. But Jason had Leticia, so I thought it would be like that. But it wasn't! This woman, she's telling me when I can pick Michael up and she had this bizarre schedule that I couldn't interfere with… Like you had to let Michael cry for ten minutes before you went in the room or something? It was twisted. I mean, I didn't think I was really in touch with any mother instincts, but I moved into that house and they all kicked into overdrive. All of the sudden every one is telling me what is good for my son and I'm thinking "They don't know what they're talking about! My opinion, my instincts, they're just as good as anyone else's."… It was like, when I was with Jason, I trusted him to know what was best for Michael. And then when I went to the Quartermaines I kinda figured, you know, they must have a better clue than *I* did. I mean, a monkey could probably make a better mother to Michael, I really thought that way. And I think AJ still felt the same way, you know? Like he didn't REALLY trust me with him. I don't think he ever really thought this stuff out. (She sits back heavily, the feeling of repression from that house coming back to her) Then one night, we're all sitting down to dinner. And Emily, she's like, being run through because she missed curfew or something… And Lucky's there, beside her, and he's not saying anything… And I looked up and he reached over and grabbed her hand. And Emily is totally matching Alan line for line, and telling everyone to get off her back… and they are. But I'm looking at her, at Lucky holding her hand and I realized… I didn't have anything like that. I mean, any basic support to stand up to these people. I don't have it from AJ and I don't have it from MY family. No wonder I go around feeling like I've been hit by a Mack Truck all the time. (Carly stops and takes a deep breath) I'm waiting for your eyes to glaze over.

Luke: I keep thinking you're going to get to the interesting part.

Carly: (darkening) Fine. The interesting part… The one person in the house that was kinda on my side was Emily. She was my champion. And I didn't even know why. She just always told everyone to leave me alone, leave Michael alone. Edward used to make these rumblings about whether she thought of herself as a Quartermaine or a Spencer. And I realized they considered me a Spencer. I mean, the Spencers didn't, but they sure did. (Carly sighs and runs her hand through her hair). Ok. *SO*… I started to think I'd made a big mistake. Because Emily was the only person in the house with any kind of sanity and she wasn't raised by them until she was 10 or something. And I started to have nightmares about Michael and him not knowing who I was, or treating me like I was the maid or something… OR Turning into one of them. I'd have these totally bizarre dreams where I'd go to his crib and I'd sneak past his Ninja nanny and pick him up BEFORE he cried and he'd open his eyes and have Edward's voice (Luke bursts out laughing) It's not FUNNY! He's have Ed's voice and he'd be using words like "rapscallion" and making "Humphing" noises… And I swear, in the dream, I dropped him. I practically threw him back into the crib. And I just knew… I had to get out of there. (Carly takes in a deep breath) Lucky used to actually hang around the house back then. He was there probably more than anyone knew. I had no LIFE, so I had a bit more of a clue. Like, that he… (She stops and looks at him) I probably shouldn't tell you this.

Luke: Trust me, it won't be a surprise.

Carly: Ok. Well… He used to sneak into Emily's room at night. Which I don't think ANYONE ever knew about… they don't pay much attention in that house. But Emily told me, because I think she wanted me to know about him. She sort of tried to push us together. WHICH she really regrets now. (Luke smiles slightly) Anyway, Lucky was kinda cold at first, but then when AJ and I started fighting all the time and I was going to war with the nanny from hell, he sort of would appear and he'd smirk at me and say something… Almost supportive. It was hard to tell, I didn't know what to make of it. (She looks up at Luke) Do you know how guarded he is? I mean, with the rest of the world.

Luke: I got a clue, yeah.

Carly: Ok. One night, I was just… I mean, I was at the end of my rope. And I'd even seen a lawyer and… I knew I was pretty much screwed. I'd hung myself, there was just no way to get me AND my kid out of that house. Not if AJ wasn't willing to let Michael go. So I was down by the water, near the boat house and I ran into Lucky. Apparently he and Emily met down there a lot, but she'd gone back to the house and… He said he wasn't ready to go home yet. So I sat down with him. And uh… I guess I was beyond caring. So I just starting talking and before I knew it, I'd told him everything. The whole stupid story, from conception to present. And he just listened. That was what I couldn't get over, he just sat there and listened and when I was done… (She looks up at Luke accusingly) You've always acted like I went out and suckered him into this, but I didn't. Don't ask me why he did it, I… (She stops, realizing she DOES know why) Well, I didn't know then. But he told me. He said… (She frowns) It was the only way to prove he was still a "Spencer" whatever that means. (Luke digests this careful)

Luke: (quietly) He said what?

Carly: Just what I told you. He wanted to prove he was still a Spencer. So he helped me, he set AJ up, he helped me get out of the house, all of it. I swear, at the time, if someone had asked me, I would have told them he walked on water. I know you totally think I used him… maybe I did. But he knows that I'll do anything he asks me to. Everything I have right now, I owe to him. Even when he wasn't really involved anymore, just knowing he'd have my back if things went really off track… (She sighs heavily) I know it messed up his life. I know he took a lot of heat for it. But that was because he TOLD people what happened! I still don't get that. Maybe that was a Spencer thing, too, but it's not a gene I was cursed with, so… (She looks at Luke intently) I never would have told anyone. Ever. And I never thought it would mess him up. But he said he couldn't keep it secret from Emily. (Luke stares hard at Carly, then sits up quickly)

Luke: That's what he's doing.

Carly: What?

Luke: He's trying to prove himself, that's what it has to be.

Carly: You mean… With Nikolas? (Luke shakes his head, violently, then looks back at Carly)

Luke: Where do you stand with Jason, Carly?

The Spencer House

Laura sits on the bed of her room, looking at a pile of photographs spread out beside her. Pictures upon pictures of her family. Most of them are from the last few years. It was hard to keep records of Lucky's childhood when they were moving all the time. There were a few pictures though, one from every birthday, all in different places. He always looked happy, though. And what she didn't have pictures of, she had in memory. Digging through the photographs, Laura comes to the envelopes containing the last few years. There are picnics in the park, barbecues, family parties… Most of the pictures have Emily in them. They were joined at the hip through most of high school. Those are the only photos where he's smiling… and that's only in half of them. Mostly he looks at the camera warily, mistrusting. How the hell did she miss that? In every single picture she can see, now clear as day, a shadow of the pain flickering in his eyes. She'd been aware, during all the time, of the distance. Aware that he had pulled away from her. But she hadn't wanted to see what else was there.

Laura spreads the photographs out on the bedspread, and starts sorting them, pushing pictures of Luke away, instead focusing only on the ones of Lucky. There ARE ones where he looks honestly happy. There are ones of him playing with Lulu outside, another where he's reading to her on the couch, both focused on the book. And there's one of him and Emily at a concert in the park. Emily is laughing and Lucky is looking at her with nothing short of adoration. But in none of those is he aware of the camera. It's almost as if he resented being recorded, having anything taken to remind him of that period of time. There is also, she realizes, the fact that she is usually the one snapping the photos. Looking at the camera is looking at her. "And I'm the one who was hurting him," Laura thinks, the realization hitting the bottom of her stomach with a thud. Laura swallows down the lump rising in her throat and looks down at the bedspread. All the photographs of her family, of her son and daughter… And not ONE of Nikolas.

Laura: (muttering to herself) That's crazy. (She starts to dig through the photographs, one on top of the other, envelope after envelope. Lulu's birthdays, Lucky's birthdays, her birthdays… Lucky's graduation, the day he bought his car… Lulu climbing a tree in the back yard, Amy at the nurse's ball, Bobbie with Lucas and Ruby at Christmas… There's even a formal photograph from AJ and Carly's wedding, a wedding no one in the family, save Lucky, even attended. But none of Nikolas. Finally she locates an envelope containing pictures from Lulu's last birthday. She shuffles through them quickly before finally coming up with the one she's looking for. Nikolas kneeling by Lulu, just inside the door, her carrying the present he gave her under her arm. One. One picture. That and an old faded photograph taken shortly after he was born… A span of almost twenty years between the two. She clenches her hand tightly, digging her nails into her palm. How did she let this happen? Both of her sons, both drifted from her, both God knows where while she sits here, sitting on a bed covered with photographs that do nothing but point out just how delusional and lost she's been. She glances down and notices a picture of her and Luke, at the same birthday party. They're both smiling, their arms wrapped around each other. The strange tilt of the camera suggest Lulu took the picture herself, maybe with help… She can't quite remember. They look happy. They look like they're in love. They were. For what it was worth. Only if they didn't look to far inward, didn't stop and look at what was happening around them. Laura feels tears come to her eyes and she snatches the picture up. She stands up and paces the room. She looks over towards the mantle. It's covered with more photographs. In the center is a photo from their wedding day, both of them smiling at the camera as if they have some sort of deep shared secret. She can barely remember what that felt like. To feel that connected, that safe, that secure. It hasn't been like that in so long, as much as she's tried to convince herself it has. It's her fault, of course. She told the first lie. She covered up a part of her and hid it so far down in herself that he never did stumble across it until it showed up in the middle of their lives. She'd never expected him to understand. In fact, she'd structured her life as if there was no chance that he COULD understand. She hadn't been surprised by his reaction, only by hers. By how hard it was to just go back to the way things had been before, by the fact that she couldn't just keep that part of her shut away anymore. And there was no way to explain the shame of it. And then the guilt at feeling shame about anything that had brought Nikolas into the world. And… More than that, the fact that she couldn't explain to herself why she could never truly turn her back on Stefan. Why that haunted her. She had tried so many times to hate him. She'd certainly convinced him of it on more than one occasion. But she had to admit it had never really been true. Whatever it was she felt where Stefan was concerned, it wasn't something she could explain. It wasn't even something she could admit to.

Laura looks down at the photograph in her hand again, at the expression on her face. Did she feel secure? Did she feel loved? If she did, had it been justified? Or had she just spend the last twenty years of her life trying to hold onto something that had been ripped out of her, something she kept swearing she would get back. She closes her eyes, letting the photograph fall to the floor.

What did it matter? She was right back where she always ended up. In a room, scared to go outside, scared to have to face anyone, the world out there waiting for her. Fearing a knock on the door or a ring on the phone that might bring Bobbie or Stefan or some other damning person down on her head, to point out to her what she couldn't stand to look at.

She wasn't going to do this any more. She just wasn't. There was no way she was going to stay in this room and wait. Wait for what? Wait for one son who would not, no matter what she said, believe that she loved him? For another who couldn't let himself trust her long enough to let her in? Wait for her daughter to end up feeling the same way?

Laura turns and paces the room again, feeling her heart begin to beat faster, tears still running down her face. Waiting. Waiting for what? For a phone call from Stefan to tell her he knows where Nikolas is? Or from Luke saying that Lucky's coming home? Why the hell is she waiting for THEM to find her children? Her children who have left because of choices she made. Her responsibilities. Why should she be here, in this house, barely able to keep herself going for Lulu, damaging that child with almost every breath she took. This couldn't be good for her. It was so much work to smile… Lulu kept catching her crying. She overheard arguments between her and Luke, she barely saw her father… This wasn't the life she wanted for any child of hers. Laura turns and looks down at the bed, still blanketed in eighteen years of photographs. A life. A history.

Laura crosses to the bed and grabs the edge of the bedspread, pulling it up violently, using it as a tarp to toss the photos up in the air. They scatter, coming down like rain, falling on the floor, the bed, the love seat. Everywhere. Memories of a life she wishes she could forget. Times she wants back, mistakes she wishes she could fix. To hell with this. To hell with standing here and hoping that somehow things will magically fix themselves. Luke had all but asked for a divorce last night. How much time was there, really, until that happened? And what was she going to do? Beg him for forgiveness? That was one more humiliation she just wasn't going to endure.

Laura starts across the room to the door, when it opens, Lulu standing in front of her, still in her Pajamas. Still, even at the afternoon. God, she is falling apart.

Laura: (crossing to her) Lulu.

Lulu: (taking in the room, very scared) What are you doing? (Laura glances back behind her)

Laura: Just figuring some things out. (She looks at the clock) You must be hungry.

Lulu: No… (She looks around, and her eyes fill with tears) They're not coming back are they? (Laura stares at Lulu, then drops to her knees, bringing Lulu against her, pulling her hard to her chest.)

Laura: (fiercely) Don't say that, honey. Don't even think it. They love you, of course they're coming back.

Lulu: But Nikky's uncle said he disappeared.

Laura: Nikky. (She smiles pulling back) It's been a long time since I've heard you call him that. (She wipes her face with her hand) I know that must have been scary, last night.

Lulu: Uh huh.

Laura: But it's not going to happen again. I won't let it. First of all… We're going to go on a trip. Like I was telling you? You can go and visit Grandma Lesley.

Lulu: I don't want to leave!

Laura: I know, sweetheart… I don't want to leave either. But… I have to do some thing. Do you understand that? I have to go and DO something. I have to make sure that Nikolas and Lucky are ok, and tell them to come to England to see you… ok?

Lulu: You'll tell them where I am?

Laura: (laughing, though tears are forming again) Of course! Maybe all three of you and visit her together. You all get along with Grandma Lesley. And she loves every one of you. It's a good place to be, isn't it? Some place where everyone can just… Get along for once.

Lulu: But you don't know where they are, do you?

Laura: (hesitantly) I'm not sure… But I think maybe, if I try to look, I might find something. And at least I can let your brothers know… See, I think sometimes your brothers don't understand how much I love them. Because they don't see me trying to show them. Does that make sense? (Lulu just stares at her). I know you're mad at me because you feel like I sent Daddy away. Well, I didn't mean to send anybody away. But somehow I managed to do it. And I'm sorry, Lulu. I'm really sorry. But I'm not going to let things stay the way they are. So if you go and stay with Grandma then I can go and see if I can fix things. And I can make Lucky and Nikolas see how much we need them to come home. That would be a good thing, huh?

Lulu: I want them to come home.

Laura: I know you do, sweetie. So do I.

Lulu: I TOLD Lucky to come home! I told him I missed him. (Laura looks at Lulu a moment, then gently brushes her hair back from her face).

Laura: You… You have talked to him, haven't you? (Lulu bites her lip and looks away) Lulu? Lulu, I'm not mad. I'm… If anything, I'm relieved. If he called you, then… (Lulu pulls her hand out from under the blanket she's carrying and hands Laura something)

Lulu: Here. (Laura looks down at the flip phone in her hand).

Laura: What's this?

Lulu: (spilling forth) Nikolas gave it to me. He said that he or Lucky would call on it. And Lucky did. He called and he told me… I'm not supposed to tell.

Laura: It's Nikolas' cell phone.

Lulu: He gave it to me when he went to see Lucky.

Laura: Lulu? When he went… When he went to see Lucky? (Laura starts to laugh) You mean when he went to Rome to see Lucky?

Lulu: He said he'd make sure Lucky was safe. And then Lucky said that he'd make sure that they came home together. But I want them to come home NOW.

Laura: (still a little amazed) They're together. My sons are together… Oh, Lulu. I know they said it was a secret, but it is a very good thing that you told me. Do you understand? Because… If Lucky is with… (She stops again, laughing, tears spilling down her cheeks) if Lucky is with Nikolas, it means Nikolas is safe! Do you understand? It means that… It means he's ok. It has to. (Laura hugs Lulu tightly, Lulu looks very confused, but hugs back. Laura pulls back, frowning) Unfortunately, it means finding them is still going to be difficult, but… (She smiles). But they're together. And I know where to start.

Lulu: Start?

Laura: (kissing her forehead) Honey, go get dressed. We have to pack fast.

The Paeon, deck.

Emily stands at the railing, lifting her head, eyes closed. The wind whips her hair around, and she smiles to herself. Nature is something she's determined to find joy in. It's about the only place she has any She turns back to Lucky, who still looks somewhat miserable and infinitely impatient.

Em: (grinning) Land ho.

Lucky: Not soon enough.

Em: Give me your hands. (Lucky rolls his eyes, then walks towards her and turns his wrists upwards. Emily takes them, hitting the pressure points again) You have to admit this works.

Lucky: I don't have to admit anything.

Em: Don't be difficult. (She sighs heavily) It's just going to be more complicated after this.

Lucky: I know. (He sighs) Last night was my fault, ok? I'm letting him get to me.

Em: Lucky…

Lucky: No, listen. We're supposed to have this deal. Where we don't get into the personal stuff, ok? So Hannah, the box, whatever. I'm not bringing it up again.

Em: Do you want me… I guess I should just make sure I don't do anything to make that more difficult. (Lucky shrugs slightly)

Lucky: You haven't. (Emily smiles at him sadly)

Em: I think we both know that's not true. (She leans against the railing, gazing up at him) If strictly business is what you want to do, then… That's what we'll do. I'm on your side, ok?

Lucky: I know.

Em: Good. Just don't forget it. (She catches sight of Nikolas exiting the hold out of the corner of her eye) He's here. (Lucky glances over his shoulder. Nikolas stops, looking at them. He seems about a million miles away. Ever since last night, things have been strange… even for them. Emily hasn't said much to Nikolas, but then Nikolas hasn't said much to ANYONE. Lucky keeps feeling an annoying twinge whenever he looks at him which is way too close to guilt for his liking. He doesn't want to pursue it. He takes a deep breath. Business. Right.)

Lucky: Hey. (Lucky pulls a hand away from Emily and gestures for Nikolas to come over to him) come here. (Nikolas nods and crosses the dock, just as mute as ever. Lucky glances back out at the water) We're closing in on our destination.

Nik: (without any emotion) I can see that. (There’s a moment's silence. Lucky clears his throat)

Lucky: Look, we have to get straight on what we're doing, ok? (Nikolas turns and looks at Lucky, just as coolly. It's not an outward coldness, more like he's just removed from the conversation).

Nik: Ok. (Lucky holds Nikolas' gaze a moment, feeling ever so slightly concerned. He's seen this look before. The night they agreed to this. He swallows)

Lucky: All right. It goes like this. We don't have to deal with the wharf master or anything like that, it's all taken care of. They're going to look the other way. But after that, if there's some kind of mix up, you're going to need another passport. I'll take care of that in Eyio.

Nik: You have a contact to buy one there?

Lucky: (slightly irritated) No. I can just make one. It's time consuming, but we got some time to kill anyway.

Nik: Why's that?

Lucky: We have to give Count Vlad some time to flap his wings. Then we can start off to the island. If we give him some time to check that out… once he's good and convinced you're not here, and we show up after he's looked into that then it won't be a problem… (Pointedly) Right? (Nikolas shrugs)

Nik: Shouldn't be. (Lucky frowns, not liking the casual way Nikolas said that. On the other hand, he doesn't much care to wait this out.)

Lucky: Ok. (He shrugs lightly) Then that's pretty much it. We'll take another twenty-four hours in port, then we'll head out to Athens.

Nik: Why Athens?

Lucky: Why not? (Emily clears her throat)

Em: Big cities are a really good place to get lost for a few days and if you're American, then… You blend in easier in a tourist center.

Nik: Makes sense. (Lucky shakes his head)

Lucky: Speaking of American… you're going to have an American passport. I suggest you use your Greek as sparingly as possible and if you have any urge to go developing an accent on us, repress it.

Nik: Ok.

Lucky: (slowly) So that's pretty much it.

Nik: Fine. I'm going up to the bow to get some air if you need me.

Em: Ok. (Nikolas nods and turns.)

Lucky: See ya. (There is a slight twist on Lucky's words. They aren't as flat as he would have liked them. Nikolas heads up to the bow of the boat and Lucky watches after him, feeling slightly worried. Emily reaches out and puts a hand on his shoulder).

Em: (gently) Are you ok?

Lucky: Yeah… (Lucky shakes it off and turns back to her) Business. I told you, it's what works best. (Emily nods, not at all convinced. She takes Lucky's wrists and reapplies the pressure again, as he stares out at the sea and approaching land).