Chapter One Hundred Sixty-Four:
Sinking Feeling

Wyndemere.

Alexis, once her heart beat starts up again, gives Luke a practiced look of disinterest and turns away, heading to the desk.

Alexis: Why, oh WHY can't you ever just pick up a phone? (Luke shrugs, following her)

Luke: I tend to get disconnected.

Alexis: Funny about that. (Alexis dumps her folder on the desktop and turns to face him). What are you after this time? (Luke looks around the room)

Luke: Are you wandering around this tomb all by yourself these days? Keeping a light on in the window for young Nikolas?

Alexis: I'm not up for any more of your teasing… or your threats. A member of my family has disappeared into thin air and the only fact that you're not a suspect is because, by all accounts, you were too inebriated and wallowing in self-pity to pull anything like this off…

Luke: Alexis. (Luke meets her gaze, a hand over his heart) I didn't know you cared.

Alexis: (heavily) What do you want, Luke?

Luke: My wife's missing.

Alexis: Ah ha. So she didn't tell you she was leaving either, huh?

Luke: I figured I'd give you a little time to chase your tail before I came 'round to see what you're planning on doing about it.

Alexis: Excuse me?

Luke: (patronizing) Come on, Lexi. (Alexis rolls her eyes, at the variation on her name)

Alexis: Oh, good. Another one.

Luke: I know your Lord and Master isn't going to let a little detail like Laura's whereabouts remain a secret for long.

Alexis: Have you tried to contact her? (Luke leans against the desk beside her)

Luke: No. (He pulls out a cigar and rolls in between his fingers) But you and me… we got an understanding. Always have… (He narrows his eyes, studying her) I wanna cut a deal.

Alexis: Excuse me?

Luke: You guys scouring the earth for my son?

Alexis: Excuse me?

Luke: Well, hell… Stefan's got my wife, right? Why not make it a matching set.

Alexis: You're suggesting… That my family is searching out the whereabouts of yours… at a time where we aren't even certain of the whereabouts of our own…

Luke: I know you guys cover your bases. (He bites the end off the cigar)

Alexis: Yes, and I've got more than my fair share to work with right now. (She leans closer to him, speaking deliberately) I don't know anything about Lucky. (Luke spits the end off to the side. Alexis grimaces in distaste)

Luke: You'd be wasting your time anyway.

Alexis: Luke… What do you think I can do for you.

Luke: Keep Count Vlad's eyes trained on that horizon. Like you said, you've got your hands full. (Alexis stares at him. There's something off. He's acting like his usual jovial self, but his heart isn't in it. And he's not getting to the point, leading her to believe this is more a fishing expedition than anything else)

Alexis: So I keep Stefan away from Lucky and you…

Luke: I stay the hell away from Nikolas.

Alexis: You'd have to find him first.

Luke: I could find him.

Alexis: (suspicious) You seem awfully sure of that.

Luke: I got a few hunches.

Alexis: Any of them start with the letter H? Because we're all over that one.

Luke: One or two does… (He lights the cigar)

Alexis: You know something else. Or you think you do. (Luke takes a drag off the cigar, holding the smoke in his lungs a moment before expelling it) I know where Laura is, Luke.

Luke: (quietly) Is she with him?

Alexis: No. (Luke gets up)

Luke: Then I'll find her myself.

Alexis: I'll save you the time. She's with her mother. In England.

Luke: You got operatives on the house? (Alexis shakes her head in mild annoyance)

Alexis: You don't have any bargaining chips here, Luke.

Luke: No? (He turns back and smiles at Alexis, his eyes dead, betraying the fact that his heart is not in it) Well, we'll see who wins the race, sweetheart.

Alexis: Luke, if you know something…

Luke: Tit for tat. Tit first. (Alexis sighs, irritated)

Alexis: I don't know anything about Lucky. I have to tell you, he's not my concern right now. (Luke takes a long draw on the cigar and tilts his head up, blowing a few smoke rings up into the air. He looks back down at her)

Luke: Far as I can tell… We're two people running out of things to fight for. And people to fight. Keep your eyes open. (He turns and walks out of the room, at a moderate pace, as if he doesn't have a care in the world. Alexis shivers as the door closes after him.)

Alexis: Watch it, Spencer. You're getting frighteningly close to human on me. (The phone rings) What now? (She moves to the phone and picks it up) Alexis Davis. (she listens a moment, then closes her eyes) Oh, God.

Nikolas’ hotel room.

Emily knocks on the door, and, hearing some muffled voice inside, decides to open the door. She does so to find Nikolas standing by the window and staring down at the street. She glances around at the size of the room, then back at Nikolas. Lucky had warned her he might be acting strange, but she never really knew how to take an advisement from Lucky regarding Nikolas. She knocks on the doorjamb again, causing Nikolas to turn around to face her.

Em: Hi! (she enters the room, pulling the door shut after her) Lucky's sicking me on you, I guess he told you. (Nikolas nods, without expression)

Nik: He mentioned it. (Emily glances around the room)

Em: Well, we have to check out before we leave… but I guess you don't exactly have a lot of packing to do. (Nikolas looks at her blankly. Emily feels just a tad uncomfortable, and runs her hand through her hair, deciding that perhaps Lucky is closer to the mark on Nikolas these days than history would suggest) But then, that's what we're taking care of today, right?

Nik: Today.

Em: I'm the acquisitions committee, remember? We have to get stuff. (Nikolas sighs and crosses to the bed, sitting down. Emily decides to just drive on with all this stuff. She's not entirely sure she can do anything else here… given the last conversation Nikolas and she had)

Nik: Right. Lucky said.

Em: It shouldn't take too long. I just have to get something to wear besides Lucky's T-shirts. And you need something, too.

Nik: I have clothes at the island.

Em: Yeah, but… We have another couple of days until we get there.

Nik: (heavily) That long.

Em: Give or take… I'm not certain. It's Lucky's call. (Nikolas smiles slightly)

Nik: I understand that most things are at this point. (Emily frowns, looking at him a moment. He doesn't continue, so she presses on)

Em: The most important thing is, we're probably going to have to camp out tonight or tomorrow… one of the days. So we have to get camping stuff… just the bear essentials. (she tilts her head at him, trying to engage him) Have you camped before? (after a moment, Nikolas shakes his head, sitting down on the end of the bed)

Nik: Not in any conventional way.

Em: (laughing) Oh, there's nothing conventional about camping with Lucky. The first time I did, we got rained on and I nearly ended up getting bitten by a rattlesnake. It was real. (This seems to stir something in Nikolas and he looks up, meeting Em's eyes)

Nik: A rattlesnake? In New York State.

Em: No, New Mexico. (Nikolas blinks) It's a long story. (Emily clears her throat, and turns away, feeling the flush of remembering just what task had taken them there.) Basically, it did nothing to convince me that disaster didn't just sort of follow Lucky around. The good thing is, he can usually handle it.

Nik: Usually.

Em: Well, rattlesnakes and rainstorms. Stuff like that, he can handle. (She sighs and looks at Nikolas) He's not so hot at this stuff.

Nik: What stuff? (Emily grimaces and looks back at him)

Em: You're… Freaking him out a little, do you know that? (Nikolas looks down at the floor a moment, considering this, then smiles slightly)

Nik: That would explain it.

Em: Explain what?

Nik: Whenever I “freak him out”… It's the one time he acts reasonable with me. (he frowns) It's a little annoying. (Emily takes a deep breath, thinking that this doesn't sound so strange to her)

Em: Nikolas… Are you all right? I mean… Lucky told me. About what happened. (Nikolas stares away from her a long moment, then turns back)

Nik: Have you ever looked at your surroundings and realized that you were, in every possible imaginable way, completely alone? (Emily looks at him in surprise. She opens her mouth to respond, but…having no real idea of what to say, closes it again. Nikolas continues, none the less…) I mean… Solitude is something I am accustomed to. (He looks over at her) To the degree that I don't think there has ever been anyone… not even Hannah… who I could stand to be around for a long period of time. Eventually, I have to get away, I need to be by myself. I'm just made that way. But I never felt alone. (He takes a deep breath) I do now. (Emily moves to sit beside him on the bed)

Em: (carefully) Lucky and I… We've never been very good at acknowledging other people. We probably get worse with time. (She exhales heavily) I just… I don't rely on many people. And he relies on even less. So Sometimes… We do separate. Sort of forget how to deal with anyone that isn't us.

Nik: It's not that…

Em: Hannah?

Nik: (getting up) All of it! Everything. I just… I don't know what I'm doing. I keep making decisions that don't ever go where I think they will. About all of this, about everything that's been happening… and about Lucky.

Em: Yeah, we keep coming back to that, don't we. (Nikolas puts his hands to his head)

Nik: I don't want to fight with him. But… I don't know what else I want either. (He drops his hands in frustration) This isn't about LUCKY! It's not about me, we keep saying that… but somehow…

Em: It's about both of you. It always has been. Nikolas… You and Lucky are the next generation of Cassadine and Spencers. Maybe we're here because of your Grandmother, but from the beginning… This has been about the two of you. She's made that clear.

Nik: What if I'm not ready?

Em: What? (Nikolas laughs slightly)

Nik: I can't say that to Lucky. There is no “not ready”. I just… I thought I was going to lose my mind last night. I'm still sort of in shock that I didn't. It was just like… Everything was closing in. (he turns back to her) You know what it is? My uncle… My father. Whatever. Whatever he is, whatever I'm supposed to call him… he is very controlled. And he taught me that kind of control. I'm just not as skilled at it as he is. For some reason, I'm best at it when he's around. But he's not now. And… I know what has to happen here. I know I have to stop Helena from hurting anyone else. I just… Sometimes I'm not sure I'm going to keep the focus.

Em: I… I'm… (She stops, at a loss)

Nik: I'm just… Trapped. I thought I was trapped in this room, but I left and… (He shakes his head) Nothing changed. Nothing is changing, it's like… Whatever I'm trying to avoid here, or get away from, just keeps following me around. (He stops and closes his eyes) Emily.

Em: Yeah?

Nik: (after a moment) Why did he do it? Why didn't he tell Luke?

Em: (quietly) He's never given me a straight answer, Nikolas. I don't know if he has one.

Nik: Do you know what… Do you know how I met Hannah?

Em: No.

Nik: On the docks. Staring out at Spoon Island. She was… Intriguing I guess. OR maybe I was just bored. Anything's possible. But she was just another face until… The day you got sick.

Em: Oh.

Nik: When I took you to Lucky's she was there. And Lucky took you upstairs and after he came back, we had a pretty typical conversation for us, and he walked out and… Hannah said “he wants something from you”. And I couldn't even comprehend what she was trying to say. But it was like she saw something I wanted to think was there. And from that point on, I just felt like… I needed to know her. I needed to be able to see things the way she did, because they looked better from her point of view. And that was how I got caught. (Nikolas closes his eyes, waiting a moment, almost as if he expects some sort of tears to come. Nothing. Emily puts a hand on his shoulder and he straightens up and looks over at her) Did… She left you a letter. (Emily stares at him a long moment, feeling herself go cold)

Em: (high pitched) Letter.

Nik: Yes. I haven't read it. But I've had it, since she died.

Em: Oh.

Nik: Do you want it?

Em: (shaking her head) Not yet. (She stands up and crosses the room, feeling intangible. She sucks in a breath and turns back and smiles at Nikolas unsteadily) We should go.

Nik: All right.

Em: Nikolas?

Nik: What?

Em: I do understand. I see what Hannah saw too. It's there… you guys just have a to… Find a way to let it out. (Nikolas nods slowly)

Nik: Right now, all I have to do is get out of here. After that… I don't know.

Em: I guess that's valid. (She frowns, returning to earth a little more) Just… He's not as cold as you think he is. Just remember that. I'll meet you in the lobby in ten minutes. (She turns and heads to the door, opening it. She looks back at him) The one thing Lucky always tells me that always makes sense… no matter what… is that you have to keep moving. As long as you, everything will be alright. (with that, Emily walks out, leaving Nikolas alone).

The Pappas House, Upper Terrace.

Stefan stares out at the Aegean, that shade of blue that doesn't seem to vary with weather, distance or time. One of the less troubling consistencies of his life. That, and this feeling… this overwhelming sense of doom he's holding pushed down in his stomach. Incredible that, after all these years, Helena can still inspire this in him. Even being back here, a place where he had gone from being a cowed and oppressed child to having complete control over his mother, he still feels the intensity of her threat. It's so familiar, that he wonders if, even after the coup, there was ever a time that he was no painfully aware of it.

He'd hoped he could do something here. He'd hoped coming to the island would help. But it feels fruitless. His suspicions had been that, if Nikolas had left, he would come here… but it had been almost three days since his disappearance and there was no sign of him. If Nikolas had been heading to the island, surely he would have arrived by now. Even if he was doing so by land, he should have been able to make it there in this limited amount of time. The fact that he hadn't led to inevitable questions. Where else could he have gone? Where could he stay? How could he possibly be anywhere of his own volition? Still, Stefan clung to the idea that Nikolas’ disappearance could still be his own choosing. A punishment. And a very apt one, at that.

Stefan, his form so rigid he looks like he could snap in half with one good push, is interrupted by a noise behind him. He turns to see Josef Pappas standing several feet behind him. The boy looks less formal, having just returned from the island by speedboat. His hair is wind blown, and his shirt is unbuttoned at the neck, indicating that he is off duty. He nods at Stefan.

Josef: Mr. Cassadine. (Stefan clears his throat and returns the gesture)

Stefan: Josef. Good afternoon.

Josef: My father stated that you wished to see the grounds before you depart. (there is a pause.) He told me of your wishes regarding Mrs. Cassadine, as well. You have nothing to concern yourself with. If she appears my staff will attend to her swiftly.

Stefan: I assumed you would. (Josef looks grim)

Josef: Mrs. Cassadine… Her time was when I was a young child. The torch has passed, I'm aware of that. (He clears his throat) I just want to ensure that you understand… I have taken on my brother's duties in all matters. Nikolas is important to me. Not just as my prince, but… There was a time when perhaps I might have been bold enough to call him a friend. Certainly, he had my respect and admiration when we were growing up. (Stefan blinks, as much of an indication he's willing to make that this statement surprises him. Not because of the sentiment, but the idea that Josef would be forward enough to say this. He nods after a moment)

Stefan: I'm sure Nikolas knows this. And I'm certain that, once this situation with his grandmother has been resolved, he will pay a visit to the island, to explain the circumstances. (Josef smiles)

Josef: We would be honored. (the door opens and Mariah appears)

Mariah: Mr. Cassadine? There is a call for you. My father is in his study, should I bid him come? (Stefan shakes his head)

Stefan: No, I shall take the call in private. I have no need of a steward. (He nods at Josef and turns and walks into the house, Josef watching after him. Inside, Stefan crosses to the phone and picks it up) Stefan Cassadine.

Alexis: Stefan, it's me… I have news.

Stefan: You've found Laura?

Alexis: Yes, but… All that matter is that she is safe, I have news regarding Nikolas.

Stefan: Very well. (Alexis closes her eyes, steeling herself. It's taken her a full five minutes just to get the tremor out of her voice)

Alexis: There has been activity on his credit card. In Venice. (Stefan feels the ground drop from beneath him.)

Stefan: Venice.

Alexis: Yes. It's the first activity since he disappeared. We have a mark on the card and when it's used again, the person in question will be brought in by the police for questioning. (she waits for a response, but doesn't receive one.) Stefan?

Stefan: I'm here.

Alexis: I thought you should know.

Stefan: Do they… Know anything?

Alexis: No. But Stefan…

Stefan: I'm going to Venice. I want to be there when… (He stops, his throat constricting)

Alexis: Do you want me to meet you there?

Stefan: No. Not at this time. I'll call you from the station. Thanks you. (Stefan hangs up unsteadily, and puts a hand on a table, leaning over. He squeezes his eyes shut against the flood of images this turn of events leads him to.)

Josef: Mr. Cassadine. (Josef, having observed part of the conversation through the French doors leading to the terrace, leans against the doorjamb, his voice even) Should I retrieve my father?

Stefan: (straightening up) Yes. (Stefan busies himself, straightening his cuffs) Tell him I am preparing to leave.

Streets of Athens.

Lucky glances around the street as he steps back from the line of pedestrian traffic and leans against a concrete wall, letting the corner of the building dig into is back.

It's a crowded city. Not just people, but the cars as well. He watches a moment in amusement. This is going to be interesting. People who think Americans are reckless and violent have never driven in Greece. The scene in front of him is a free-for-all of traffic, cars zipping by at speeds that would be unthinkable on any road back home. He smiles slightly, and looks over this shoulder down the alley.

Well. It's about time this offered some sort of fun.

Lucky glances back at the street, the people rushing by haphazardly, and slides around the corner, meandering up the alley and pausing by the car parked there. It's tiny, like nothing he'd come across back home… but it shouldn't provide much of a challenge. Lucky slips a tool out of his pocket, and slides it under the handle, expertly breaking the lock in a matter of seconds. He sighs slightly. Actually, a challenge might have been nice. Especially considering how long it's been since he's done this. Lucky pulls the door open and glances around one last time before sliding into the car. He sits back in the driver's seat and glances down at the ignition, and smiles slightly.

Lucky: Ok. Let the games begin.