Chapter One Hundred Eighty-Seven:
Adjustments

Cassadine Compound

Lucky is becoming increasingly convinced that he is having an out of body experience. For starters... he can't actually feel his body. That seems like a pretty good indication. Secondly, he's not sure he can hear. Certainly he's not retaining information.

God, he hates servants. Conceptually. It's not that he has something against them as people, or a political objection... He has just never ever been able to understand the idea of having someone who's job it is to take care of you. And dealing with them... that's nothing he's ever felt like he had a firm grasp on. He wasn't completely nuts about having dinner at the Quartermaines for that reason. Ok, so there were other reasons too, but that had been one of them. When he just came by to see Emily, he could at least just try to ignore the fact that Reginald wore those clothes and talk to him like a human being. Reginald had personality. And besides, most of the Q servants pushed the family around. You had to respect that. These people... they did not seem to have any desire to differentiate themselves from each other. And he did not like the way they were looking at him. It was removed and... polite. He was obviously being filed under "those who are served" and that made him feel queasy. That was something Reginald and the other Quartermaine servants didn't subject him to.

The thing is, there is no way out of this. He can feel Josef, standing behind him, watching his every move. And besides... it isn't like there are more preferably places to lay his attention. He's already taken in the foyer of the house and his conclusion is -- don't look up.

The foyer, marble floors, winding marble staircase... and off white matte painted walls that stretch up two floors... it's at least five times the size of the one at the Quartermaine Mansion. And then there are the portraits. That he should have known about. He didn't bother to count them, didn't bother to give them anymore than a cursory glance, and that showed all he needed to see. There was one, the furthest towards the stairs on the right hand side... It was of Stefan, standing with his hand on a young boy's shoulder -- Nikolas, no doubt. The part that had thrown him was that, on the other side of this four or five year old child, seated and smiling for the painter in the same way she had looked at him when she'd calmly assured him Emily would die if that was want she wanted... was Helena.

That was nagging at him. His mind kept trying to go back there... why the hell was there a portrait of Helena? One with Nikolas and Stefan, no less. It was strange. Disquieting even. It just didn't mesh with his impression of the state of the Cassadine family. Which made him think that there was a good chanced that his impression was off.

Nik: Lucky? (Lucky blinks, and realizes that Emily's hand has been tightening around his so much so that his hand is nearly being crushed. He pulls his hand away from her, and shakes his head. He has no idea how many times Nikolas must have said his name. Slipping, Spencer...)

Lucky: Yeah. (he coughs) Yes. (Nikolas looks at him a moment, his expression unreadable)

Nik: Josef has offered to take Emily back to her room to rest. I wanted to know if you were going to join her, or speak to me in the study.

Lucky: Study.

Nik: That door behind you. (Lucky feels himself flush cold. God... what was he, an amateur? This looks good. If Nikolas mentioned anything about the house, the layout, any of it... he didn't catch a word. He clasps his hands behind his back, and digs his thumb nail into the flesh of his wrist, masochistically. He nods at Nikolas, refusing to flinch)

Lucky: We have a lot to talk about. (He feels Emily's hand on his arm. After a moment he releases his wrist and looks down at her) You tired?

Em: No. (she smiles slightly) But I'll be fine. Go ahead. (Lucky nods, and lowers his head to kiss her. He stops, feeling momentarily lost, then leans down and kisses her cheek. He straightens up.)

Lucky: Get some rest.

Em: In a bit. (Lucky looks at her a moment)

Lucky: I won't be that long. Just...

Em: Get some rest. Yeah, I've been there. (Lucky looks over his shoulder at Nikolas, then back at her.)

Lucky: What was it you said? No marathons.

Em: Aye aye. (Lucky exhales. Ok, fine, whatever. He turns and looks at Nikolas a moment. Nikolas returns his blank stare, then turns and crosses to the door to the study. A servant is there already, opening the door for him. Nikolas doesn't even acknowledge her as he enters. Lucky follows, glancing her way quickly, then entering the study after his brother. The door closes and there is a moment of silence until Josef nods. At that signal there is a flurry of movement that leaves Emily, used to servants who threaten, roll eyes and make sarcastic remarks, finds shocking. She blinks)

Em: Wow. (There is another moment's silence and she looks up at Josef. She sighs heavily) Back to my chambers?

Josef: Whatever you wish. (Emily looks at him a moment)

Em: Actually. Ideal circumstances? I could use a breath of fresh air.

Josef: (smiling) That can be arranged.

Alexis sits in the back seat of a cab, watching the happenings one the street through the window. She runs her medallion back and forth along the chain around her neck, the only indication that she is feeling anxious. Her expression is blank, as she watches Luke Spencer carrying his daughter down the steps of the house and into the waiting car at the bottom of the walk. Lesley Webber follows, locking up the house, and stopping on her stoop to look up and down the gray and deserted street. She exhales, her expression grim, then picks up her suitcase and moves down the stairs. At the door of the car, she stops, puts down her bag, and looks up at Luke. One of the men attending to the car comes up behind her, taking the bag without her permission and she jumps, then turns back to Luke and lets out a torrent of words that Luke listens to patiently. After several minutes she appears to have talked herself out and she leans forward, giving Luke a hug. Luke returns the gesture, then pulls back, holding the woman's shoulders and looking her directly in the eye. She listens to him speak a moment, then gets into the car. Luke closes the door and put his hand up to the glass, presumably in another gesture to his little girl. The two men get into the car, and Luke nods to them, then they drive off. A few minutes later, two other cars at the end of the road follow. After that, Luke stands on the sidewalk alone, staring down into the gutter. The street is otherwise empty. He looks up finally and his eyes immediately find Alexis's. He straightens up and crosses the street, pulling open the door to the cab and sliding in beside her. Alexis indicates to the driver to start the car, and he does so. They have already left the street and turned back into London traffic when she speaks.

Alexis: Are you sure they'll be safe?

Luke: As safe as I can make them. Morgan's got his prime contacts on it.

Alexis: Morgan's lines have been dirty lately.

Luke: I'm not leaving them in some unprotected house in west London.

Helena doesn't need another bargaining chip.

Alexis: She won't hurt Lulu. Not if she wants Nikolas.

Luke: I'm not gonna take your word on that. If she gets pushed hard enough, she'll do just about anything. And I don't think she's gonna like what's coming her way in the next few days. (Luke looks over at her) Once we find her.

Alexis: All right. So your family business is taken care of -- now on to mine.

Luke: Mmm. You still think there's any point in hell in going to Venice?

Alexis: (tightly) I need to find my brother. He needs to know about this.

Luke: On the list of my priorities, darlin'... that's right up there with learning to tap dance.

Alexis: Luke.

Luke: What do you think chasing him all the way to Italy is going to do? Really, Counselor.

Alexis: It's the last place he was seen.

Luke: Yeah. And you can bet, if he took off, he's found something more interesting.

Alexis: NOTHING is more interesting than finding his son.

Luke: Except finding my wife? (Alexis says nothing, turning to look out the window) Look at it this way... we find his pride and joy first, you really think he's not going to show up? And hey, you'll be the family hero.

Alexis: I'm not looking for a medal.

Luke: Really. (Glances at her medallion) I thought you were into heavy jewelry. (Alexis stares hard out the window)

Alexis: Do you want to tell me what you're thinking?

Luke: (after a moment) I told you. I got a name.

Alexis: WHAT name?

Luke: I know where Lucky was. I know where Jason sent him.

Alexis: GOD! This is not all about your family! My family is just as deep in this as yours is!

Luke: Yeah, but I'm the one with the solid lead. (Alexis looks at him, her eyes wild. Luke stops. Damn, she rattles hard when she lets it happen) It's in Italy, Natasha. Brindisi. Don't tell me that doesn't add up for you.

Alexis: I need to find Stefan.

Luke: What do you think has happened to him. Really.

Alexis: Do you know what I was doing? All this time, while you were taking care of your family -- I was looking for your WIFE! She isn't turning up, Luke. Doesn't THAT concern you. (Luke's expression darkens)

Luke: She doesn't want to be found.

Alexis: Luke... you know her tricks. They are YOUR tricks, for God's sake! You just went to all this trouble to make sure your daughter and her MOTHER were safe, and now? You won't tell me a damn thing to help me out. (Luke stares out the opposite window.)

Luke: How many names you got?

Alexis: Me?

Luke: You have a list of aliases, right? You and your family --

Alexis: Not all of them.

Luke: I'll give you the list if we go to Brindisi. That simple. (Alexis exhales)

Alexis: All right. But if nothing turns up, I'm going to Venice. With or without you. (Luke says nothing) I'm in this as long as it makes sense for us to work together. I'm not letting you jerk me around.

Luke: Brindisi, Counselor. You can yell at me after that.

Everything, Lucky is deciding, is opulent in this place. Nothing small... like the bed in the room he and Emily were sleeping in last night -- which was roughly the size of his bedroom at his parents house -- and the ceiling and staircase in the foyer... and now this.

There is a fish tank at the far side of the room that is built into the wall, and runs along the length of the room. It's monstrous in size, and the fish it contains are brightly colored and exotic, mingling together, through a meticulously maintained habitat. It captures Lucky's attention immediately and does not release it until he hears Nikolas speak.

Nik: (softly) Did you survive? (Lucky continues to stare at the tank)

Lucky: Did they close this place at ALL while you were gone? (Nikolas looks confused)

Nik: It usually has a staff of thirty. At least.

Lucky: Uh huh. So this is what.... A third of the fish?

Nik: You have something against fish?

Lucky: No. I used to have fish. Goldfish. It was the one pet I was allowed to have as a kid.

Nik: Because it's portable.

Lucky: No. 'Cause they die quick. (Lucky turns his back on the tank and leans up against the desk.

Nik: I think they were my father's hobby. (He stops, realizing the word he just used) I don't really know much about Stavros. It's all very vague. And the stories conflict. (Lucky nods, still staring at the tank) Actually, I don't think he kept tropicals. (Lucky turns away, starting to walk the perimeter of the room, taking in the bizarre knickknacks littered around the room, on bookshelves and various antique side tables)

Lucky: What -- piranhas?

Nik: (smiling slightly) Sharks. Small ones. (Lucky exhales)

Lucky: This is taking all the sport out of making fun of your family. (He looks at Nikolas, finally) This place is worse than I thought it would be.

Nik: (Not sure how to take that) You thought it would be like Spoon Island?

Lucky: I've never BEEN to Spoon Island. (there's a pause) Not inside. Invited. (He moves past the desk) Or whatever this is.

Nik: I... I hadn't thought of that. (He coughs) Well. It's less ... than this. This is the family compound. Spoon Island is more my f --

Lucky: Count Vlad's style, huh? Makes sense. (He shoots Nikolas a look that suggests they shouldn't be messing around in the territory of "my father" vs. "my uncle" right now. Nikolas looks away, trying not to find that irksome)

Nik: It feels bigger than it used to. Or maybe it's just empty. (he sighs) It echoes.

Lucky: Homesick. (Lucky just says the word, not inquiring, so Nikolas feels no need to answer. The word is strangely fitting though. He doesn't have time to think about it, he decides. He's not looking back right now. He only has on direction to go in)

Nik: It's time, Lucky. (Lucky stops, looking at a truly ugly iron doorstop/dragon that is sitting up on a shelf, nowhere near any door. The creature's mouth is open and it's tongue is snaking out at him. Lucky shakes his head. Yuck. He reaches out and picks the thing up, studying it more closely.)

Lucky: I know.

Nik: Yeah? So what now? (There's a long silence)

Lucky: You were convinced she'd come here.

Nik: She will.

Lucky: Then we wait. (Nikolas snorts, still looking down at the carpet)

Nik: For? Our parents to descend?

Lucky: You said you could avoid that.

Nik: I can. For the time being. with *my* father. (Lucky shakes his head)

Lucky: My father's not going to come looking for me. If he does, he'll regret it. (Nikolas looks up, surprised)

Nik: What does that mean? (Lucky puts down dragon, and looks back at Nikolas)

Lucky: Helena's up. She's on the scoreboard, Nikolas. We haven't even gotten to the end zone. That's going to make her cocky. People do stupid things when they're cocky. They invade Russia. They reinvent coke. They leave hit TV shows for movie stardom... The list goes on.

Nik: Translated, I'm going to assume you're saying she's going to fall to hubris.

Lucky: Ok. You're going to start making fun of the way *I* talk?

Nik: (dryly) Hard to believe, I know. (Lucky shakes his head)

Lucky: Look. I like to be more proactive than this, Ok? But Helena's not giving us much of a choice. Besides, the one thing we have on our side is that she's not going to be expecting this.

Nik: She contacted Emily in Italy. She knows you two were there.

Lucky: Yeah. And she'll think we both want her out of our lives. But I bet you anything she thinks we'll turn on each other. (Nikolas looks at Lucky a long moment)

Nik: Yes. She probably thinks that.

Lucky: Remember what you told me... What Hannah said about cards?

Nik: Yes.

Lucky: We just have to make sure we know what ones she's holding. That's probably the most difficult part.

Nik: And if her plan of attack is to just stop by for diner... (Lucky crosses the desk)

Lucky: We have to spell it out for each other, Nik. What are you planning on doing?

Nik: Whatever it takes. (Lucky sighs. Alight. Vague enough? He looks over at Nikolas, studying his posture. His hands are gripping the edge of the desk. His posture is as closed to slumped as Nikolas gets and for the first time in ages it strikes Lucky that there was more to him being here than just acting as Indian Guide. Nikolas can't do this. It's not in him. Which means, location or not, the game is still really in Lucky's own hands. He's going to have to be the one to make the final decision. He's going to have to be the one who makes the final move. For reasons deep in his nature, that makes Lucky feel better. It's enough to bring him a little more firmly back to earth. He shakes his head and sits down in the chair facing Nikolas. He leans forward, his elbows resting on his knees)

Lucky: Then like I said. We wait.

Emily stands under the shade of a tall tree that has grown up hugging the stone wall of the terrace and bent unnaturally over the top to provided a shaded nook on this large patio. It's nearly twice the size of the one she and Lucky were standing on just a short while earlier and she imagines that it's been used for entertaining. There are two entrances, since the house wraps around the North and west side, and one appears to exit off a ball room, or receiving room of some sort. This really is a house for royalty, she thinks. There were parts of Nikolas's personality that seemed to make so much more sense here. He seemed apologetic, most of the time, for the fact that he was raised to occupy this type of house. But he didn't seem as comfortable here as she'd expected. From the little she'd seen, at least. Nikolas, she felt, was avoiding her. Ok, so there was not much opportunity for them to talk or even deal with each other... but it was a vibe she'd been getting from him ever since he'd broken down while they were talking about Lucky. Like he thought he'd crossed a line with her, or that he'd said too much. She wanted to talk to him about that, to clear the air... but right now, her focus was on Lucky. He needed her. And she needed to get better so that she could be there in a way that wasn't this... weak.

Emily pulls a long breath of the fresh sea air into her lungs. She'd felt, from the moment she'd stepped out on the terrace that morning, that she needed this. It was making her stronger, just making her feel more alive. And she could feel Lucky trying to pull her back inside, though she desperately felt like that wasn't going to help her. She'd probably sleep like the dead again tonight -- her head hurt too much, and she felt too dizzy to fool herself into thinking that sun stroke just disappeared like a twenty-four hour bug. But she was going to get better. She was determined of that.. And she was going to do it as fast as humanly possible. She smiles to herself and tips her head up, feeling the slight breeze blow through her hair and over her skin. This is Ok, she thinks. This isn't a disaster.

Josef: Do you want to stay out here, Mrs. Spencer? (Once again, Emily feels herself flash cold at the sound of this name being applied to her. She opens her eyes and looks over at Josef)

Em: Thank you. But I shouldn't.

Josef: It looks like it agrees with you -- the air.

Em: I think it does. But my husband is feeling a bit protective, I think he'd be more comfortable if I went back to our... Chambers. (Emily smiles ironically at the phrase. Josef doesn't seem to react)

Josef: How long have you been married? (Emily starts at the question)

Em: Excuse me?

Josef: To Mr. Spencer.

Em: (out of habit) Lucky. (She looks down at her ring) Six months.

Josef: Forgive me, but you seem quite young.

Em: I am. (she glances up at him) But I love him. (Josef nods, taking a few steps closer to her)

Josef: My Grandmother has always said that those young to love are young to wisdom.

Em: Is that a good or bad thing?

Josef: It just is. I couldn't answer, having never experienced it myself. (Emily looks bemused)

Em: You're talking to me.

Josef: Yes, I am. (Emily narrows her eyes, studying his face)

Em: That surprises me.

Josef: Your husband is part of the family I serve now. He doesn't seem very open to the idea, though.

Em: Lucky doesn't like to be served. (Josef nods, giving her a smile of concession)

Josef: At the same time, I have a job to do.

Em: Yeah, I know.

Josef: It would be to my advantage to learn how to do my job without disturbing him. (Emily feels the hair on the back of her neck stand up on end without warning. She looks at Josef intently, her eyes studying his. There's nothing there that should alarm her. They look... sincere? It's as good a word as any. And he really does just seem to be trying to fill in what must be a sizable gap. At the same time, she knows Lucky is wary of this man. And never, in all the time she's been with Lucky, has she ever felt comfortable discussing him with other people at great length. It felt like a betrayal just to tell someone what his favorite color was. She drops her eyes down to the patio)

Em: Just do as the Prince wishes. That's all that matters.

Josef: The Prince wishes for his brother to be comfortable. (Emily feels a twinge. Ok, Nikolas. Comfortable. At the Cassadine Compound. Why don't you just wish for the moon, its a little more attainable)

Em: Lucky is fine. He adjusts to his surroundings. Just do as you would normally do.

Josef: (with a sigh) There is no "normal" for me yet. I'm trying to do my best to make everything look smooth, but this was not what I was raised to. (There is a pause and Emily looks up again. Huh?)

Em: It's not?

Josef: (Looking across at her) My brother was to be the Prince's steward. Not me. He was killed.

Em: Oh. Oh, I'm sorry.

Josef: It was a few years ago. I am seeking to do his memory justice.

Em: (hovering between feeling uncomfortable and relating to what he's say) Oh. I'm sure you are. But then, I'm... I'm not from this world. It all seems very... Well, perfect. (Emily gives a slightly nervous smile) You've managed to provide us with everything we need.

Josef: Well, keep me informed, Mrs. Spencer. That's all I ask.

Em: I'll do my best. (Emily goes to move forward and stops, feeling the wrath of a particularly nasty dizzy spell. She blinks and leans back against the wall, deep in the shade of the tree.) Oh.

Josef: Are you all right?

Em: I.... (She breaths) I think maybe I should stay out here another minute. (She gives a weak smile) Residual ill effects.

Josef: I'll bring you a chair.

Em: No, no. I'm fine. Just... Maybe I should have another glass of juice or something.

Josef: I can attend to that. Stay right here.

Em: (wryly) I don't think I'm going anywhere.