Chapter One Hundred Ninety-One:
Sweet Little Lies

Cassadine Jet Cabin.

Alexis is sitting on one of the chairs, her feet planted firmly on the floor, hunched over her lap top. She is wearing her glasses and muttering to herself as she flips through her E-mail correspondence. She is obviously in a high state of agitation. She hears a sound and a shadow falls across her work, but doesn't look up.

Alexis: Good. You're back.

Luke: Such enthusiasm. (Luke flops down on the couch, throwing an arm over his forehead and staring up at the ceiling)

Alexis: Hello. Before you go all Blanche Debois on me, could we have a moment?

Luke: Shoot.

Alexis: Don't tempt me. (She sighs and folds down the top of her laptop.) I'm coming up flat here. You said -- (Luke raises his head, showing slight interest in this.)

Luke: Nothing?

Alexis: I can't do anything if you're holding out on me! I thought we were clear on that.

Luke: Crystal. (he waves a hand at the computer) All that stuff's at the past, baby. Why wouldn't I tell you the truth? (Alexis looks over at him, her glasses low in the bridge of her nose)

Alexis: Call me crazy, but occasionally I get the feeling you like to see me suffer. (Luke looks unimpressed)

Luke: My wife doesn't want to be found. (He leans back onto the couch) Must be something in the water. (Alexis opens her mouth to respond, then thinks better of it. She lets the silence in the room stand a moment then takes off her glasses, placing them on the table, and stands up. She paces the length of the cabin, her hands on her hips, and rolls her head, stretching out her neck)

Alexis: Did you get anything?

Luke: From where?

Alexis: (turning back) From that guy Jason said Lucky went to. Did you think I wasn't going to ask?

Luke: Yeah. I talked to him.

Alexis: And?

Luke: Lucky got a boat ride out of here. A week ago. (Alexis sucks in her breath)

Alexis: A WEEK ago? He could be anywhere.

Luke: (all knowing, all seeing) He's in Greece. He's biding his time, but he was heading to Greece the whole time. (Alexis shakes her head)

Alexis: I don't... I can't believe this. (She snaps to) Wait. Lucky? What about Nikolas? Hell, what about Emily Quartermaine?

Luke: What about them?

Alexis: They aren't WITH him?

Luke: (sitting up) 'course they are.

Alexis: They are.

Luke: Yep.

Alexis: This guy told you that? He SAW Nikolas?

Luke: Yep. (He rubs his eyes) A week ago, they were all in one piece.

Alexis: (crossing to him) But he saw him. He's all right.

Luke: I didn't ask for a full run down, Counselor. But all the parts were in working order. (Alexis exhales and sits down on the opposite couch)

Alexis: Oh, thank God. (she takes a moment to digest this, then looks up again.) All right. Then what are you hanging onto?

Luke: (groaning) Natasha.

Alexis: (going back to the lap top) Come on, Luke. We had a deal. You don't think I believe you gave up every single alias you have here. You wouldn't do that, you're holding onto something. (Luke leans over and gives her the sort of smile a mongoose might give a cornered cobra)

Luke: Sweetheart. If I decided I didn't want your blood sucking family looking over my shoulder anymore, do you really think I'm going to go to the same old well I used to go to with Frank Smith? Your family is a different kettle of piranhas. I got NO reason to keep that stuff secret anymore.

Alexis: Well, she's not here! You know her tricks, you know how to find her -- why aren't we? (Luke suddenly finds his feet and leaps up)

Luke: Alexis! I told you. She doesn't want to be found! Not by me, not by you -- hell, if she's off with the count, she doesn't want me anywhere near her. (Alexis stares at him)

Alexis: How the hell does someone who is continually as hero WORSHIPPED as you are end up this insecure? There is no way in hell I'm going to believe that you really believe you couldn't find her if you set your mind to it. Your ego would NEVER allow that kind of surrender.

Luke: Maybe you don't have me quite as nailed down as you think you do.

Alexis: Or maybe you're playing me like a violin. "Alexis, go here! Alexis go there!" -- when do we go where Alexis wants to go?

Luke: First of all -- I never call you 'Alexis'. Secondly -- if I wanted a free jet ride, woman, I would have called up the Quartermaines.

Alexis: Oh yes. The family who tried to have your son arrested for kidnapping?

Luke: You underestimate my powers of persuasion.

Alexis: Not every person on this planet bends to your will, Luke.

Luke: really? (flashes a smile) You do. (Alexis starts, then turns away, focusing her gaze on the wall of the cabin)

Alexis: I want my brother, Luke. That's all there is to it. You know Laura better than anyone on this planet. There has to be something you can tell me -- childhood friend, hero from a favorite novel -- what name is she using?

Luke: I gave you every name we EVER used, if you can't come up with somethi-- (Luke stops dead, his jaw dropping slightly. Alexis, cued by the silence, looks over at him)

Alexis: Somethi? Does that indicate a thought? (Luke shakes his head)

Luke: No. No. No.

Alexis: And somehow, I find myself saying "yes!" (Alexis gives a Cheshire cat grin and pulls her laptop over to her) What are you thinking? (she starts to type, accessing the link to the information she's been trying to download off illegally accessed passenger reports. Luke just keeps shaking his head)

Luke: No. She wouldn't do it.

Alexis: (pointing and clicking) And therefore, despite the fact that we're up against a rock hard wall, we're not going even make a shot in the dark?

Luke: We're not against a wall! I told you -- Lucky went to Greece! We got a place to go, that island thing of yours.

Alexis: (glancing up) Lucky and NIKOLAS went to Greece.

Luke: That's what I said.

Alexis: No. You keep dropping that name from the description. Not that I expect a lot of consideration from you, but you could at least TRY to make it look like you're not just using me for safer and speedier passage.

Luke: (darkly) Right now? Safer and speedier aren't words that are rushing to mind where you're concerned. (Alexis lifts her chin and gives a cold smile, like a cobra might give a cornered rat)

Alexis: Give me the name. I phone Stefan, and we go to Greece. (Luke closes his eyes, loathed to do this, but noting that Alexis is not to be moved. Besides... A part of him really wants to know)

Luke: (finally) Lucy Johnson. (Alexis looks at him a moment, frowning, then bends over the computer, typing in the information. The machine whirs and clicks. Luke looks up) Anything?

Alexis: Give it a minute. (They do so. Finally the screen flashes up the information Alexis wants. She grimaces) Gee. Why not just feed me "Jane Smith"?

Luke: Generic is good.

Alexis: There are FIVE Lucy Johnsons who flew out of Heathrow last Monday. Must have been a slow day.

Luke: Destinations?

Alexis: New York, Madrid, Helsinki -- (she stops, then sits back, eyes still fixed on the screen) Oh. OH.

Luke: What?

Alexis: (looking up) I know where your wife went.

Wild Garden, South side of the Compound.

Nikolas walks carefully through the overgrowth, pushing climbing vines out of his way. This place has changed. Remarkably. But then, that was the nature of the beast. He'd always liked this place for that reason. He wasn't sure who's idea it had been, but it was something that made him feel like he belonged here. It had always suited him and the fact that, somewhere back in his lineage it had suited someone else -- and the rest of him family enough to not change it -- was comforting. It was a good place to be whenever he started to feel uncertain about everything that went around him. And right now, uncertainty wasn't something he could risk.

Coming through a stone archway, Nikolas stops dead at the sight of another person in his garden. He frowns, this crosses the long grass towards his brother. Lucky hears him approach, but doesn't turn around from his post, leaning his shoulder against a tree, staring out at the sea. Nikolas stops less than a foot behind him. Lucky waits several moments for him to speak.

Nik: You found this place.

Lucky: (quietly) I like to know my surroundings.

Nik: I've gathered. (He moves to stand beside Lucky, though several feet to the side.) Any thoughts? (Lucky shrugs)

Lucky: This is... Interesting. (Nikolas nods, moving to a tree across from Lucky and leaning his back against it, sinking hands into pockets)

Nik: Interesting. (Lucky gives a slight smile)

Lucky: My mom... We lived a lot of remote places, you know? No TV, nothing like that. So my mom would read stuff to me a lot. I could read, you know, but... It was mutual entertainment. And I wasn't that good at sitting still, so she'd read, I'd... Do something else. One of the books she read, The Secret Garden... (he looks around) I think this is what I thought it would look like.

Nik: Laura read you The Secret Garden?

Lucky: Occasionally... I got the distinct impression she wanted a daughter. (He shrugs) It was a good book. Better than Ballet Shoes. (Lucky shakes his head, bemused) Didn't touch Treasure Island. (Nikolas laughs)

Nik: I read it. I know the story. English Girl locked up alone in a stuffy house...

Lucky: Finds a Garden. Wackiness ensues.

Nik: I'll assume that was a joke.

Lucky: (Long suffering) Yes, Nikolas, that was a joke. Should I make some kind of sign?

Nik: Funny, you don't look like you're in a very jovial mood. (Lucky flinches)

Lucky: I'm fine.

Nik: Uh huh.

Lucky: (groaning) What? What, what are we discussing today? Is there some big traumatic story about this place I'm going to have to deal with?

Nik: Not that I know of. It's just a garden.

Lucky: Good. I could use a "just a garden".

Nik: This is... Not easy on you.

Lucky: (tensing) I'm dealing.

Nik: I didn't say you weren't.

Lucky: You might want to try not saying anything. (He smirks in Nikolas's direction) I'd hate to stomp all over this lovely "moment" we're having here. (Nikolas stares at him as blankly as possible. Yes, of course. And he would be the one stomping on things in this scenario, wouldn't he? Somehow he manages not to give voice to that sentiment)

Nik: (pointedly) How is Emily? (Lucky's expression darkens immediately. Huh. Not bad...) Recovering?

Lucky: She's fine. She's asleep. Again.

Nik: Probably going stir crazy. I would be.

Lucky: Yeah.

Nik: She's spent far too much time in a bed this past month.

Lucky: (tersely) What do you think she should be doing? Preparing for the decathlon? She's spent a lot of time in bed because your psychotic grandmother hit her with a car because YOUR girlfriend couldn't figure out what line she was towing. It's not like she had a choice. (Nikolas bristles immediately)

Nik: My 'girlfriend' was doing the best she could, given the narrow perimeters you gave her to maneuver in. She didn't want anything to happen to Emily and you know it. This is a lot of people's fault -- maybe. But it's not Hannah's. (Lucky's mouth tightens, but he looks away, pulling back from the invitation to a full out brawl).

Lucky: Whatever. (He exhales. No one says anything for a good minute) Look. (Lucky looks down at that ground, focusing on a sizable boulder a few feet away) I know Hannah did the best she could, Ok? But that's kinda the point. If you haven't been playing this game your whole life, it's not like you can just pick up a bat and join in.

Nik: She didn't JOIN anything.

Lucky: (Looking up, meeting his eyes) Exactly. Neither did Emily. They just... Had really unfortunate taste in men. (Nikolas narrows his eyes for a moment, looking for the jab behind the statement. Lucky's eyes dart away from his, resisting any further connection. Nikolas clears his throat).

Nik: I don't like to talk about Hannah. (Lucky gives a humorless laugh)

Lucky: Yeah. But it's funny how clear this whole thing gets when we do. (He leans his head back, looking up at the blue sky above) Do you still have that box?

Nik: In my chambers. (Lucky makes a face).

Lucky: (muttering) Chambers... (he shakes the word off) What... What are you thinking of doing with them? I mean... You said something about Greece --

Nik: I'll talk to Emily about it when she's a little more rested.

Lucky: Yeah. But as of right now. What are you thinking?

Nik: (exhaling) As of right now? I'm not. (he closes his eyes) I just know she liked the Aegean.

Lucky: Yeah. (Long silence)

Nik: I don't want to talk about this.

Lucky: Yeah, well. Can't say I don't relate. (Nikolas blinks at the wording of the sentiment. Again, he has no sense that there is an insult lurking behind this. Curiouser and curiouser... He clears his throat, an idea occurring to him)

Nik: Emily... Is she... Do you think she would be up to having dinner in the hall tonight?

Lucky: The hall?

Nik: The dining hall.

Lucky: (confused) Why?

Nik: (shrugging) Just an idea.

Lucky: What? For "appearances?"

Nik: It's... An invitation. Consider it as such.

Lucky: But why?

Nik: (exhaling) I don't know. Impulse. And you said... Stir crazy. She might feel a little more normal...

Lucky: With the pomp and circumstance? (he looks momentarily uneasy) Maybe.

Nik: She's a Quartermaine. It's not entirely out of her league. It's just a... Gesture. Your call.

Lucky: (after a moment) I'll let you know. I mean, I should talk to her. She'll... (he sighs, admitting to himself that he knows what she'll say) No, she'll jump at it. It's... Probably a good idea.

Nik: I think this is making Mariah jumpy. It probably would go a long way towards making everything seem more... Normal.

Lucky: (smirking) Normal. Yeah, that's what we're going for, huh? (he pushes himself off the tree trunk) Ok, fine. I'll go talk to her.

Katija's Cottage.

Katija stares out the window, her hands clenched at her side, willing herself not to look at the antique clock ticking away on the wall. She knows what time it is. She can feel it. And every second that passes brings with it more anxiety. She's decided that she wants this over with. Her sister had a characteristically negative reaction to her insistence that she stay out in town until the Count has completed his business, but that was not a surprise. She can handle her sister, and she can handle the multi-day lecture that will inevitably come with her return. No, her anxiety is attached entirely to the drama that is going to play out under her roof at any given moment. It's a haunting from her past she is certain she could do without.

Katija's thoughts are interrupted by the sound of Laura entering the living room from the kitchen. Katija turns to see her standing in, carpet bag in hand and coat on. She blinks.

Katija: Laura?

Laura: Yes?

Katija: You... Your bag. What are you doing?

Laura: I... I think I should go. You've been wonderful, Katija. Really. But... I understand your position. I should just... Try my luck elsewhere.

Katija: I never said I wouldn't help you.

Laura: (smiling wanly) I know. But. I came here because I didn't know what else to do. It wasn't until I ... Everything feels clearer now. I know what I really need to do. It might not be possible but... With Stefan as regent, there is a ... chance... (she shakes her head) You said the Pappas's are acting as caretakers on the Compound right now, they might allow me to go there.

Katija: Why? WHY would you do that?

Laura: Because. I don't know how else to find Helena. She'd love to get her hands on me again. She's never been able to get enough of torturing me. And it's NOT fair to involve you. I know that. I was desperate. What you told me... That helps.

Katija: I could let Mr. Pappas know that --

Laura: If you tell them I'm coming, Stefan would be there in a heartbeat. I half expected him to turn up here. I need that little bit of time. Just... To see. To see if I'm enough to satisfy her, for the moment at least. Her hatred for me is the only weakness I can see in her. It cost her Stavros, after all. If they'd just left Luke and I alone, then he'd still be alive and ... (Her face clouds a moment, then she shakes it off) Who knows what would have happened. I might... I just might be enough to distract her from Nikolas for the time being. That seems to be what she's most interested in.

Katija: I... I have to say, I think this is a terrible mistake. (fear begins to gleam in her eyes) As your friend, as someone who knows this woman... It's a terrible mistake!

Stefan: (appearing in the doorway) I couldn't agree more. (Katija and Laura both jump, spinning around to face him. Katija gapes. Laura looks stunned a moment, then a cool mask descends over her features. Stefan enters through the front door neither heard open) Hello, Lasha. (Laura stares at him a moment, then cocks her head to one side, smiling coolly)

Laura: Oh, please, Stefan. Do call me Laura.