Chapter One Hundred Ninety-Seven:
Something New

Katija's Cottage

Luke and Stefan stare at each other in their old familiar way, Luke looking decidedly cocky, with more than a hint of mayhem lurking under the surface -- Stefan rigid and disapproving. They hold the look a long moment, then Stefan turns his attention to Katija. He has no energy for this. And no reason to attempt to speak to this man.

Stefan: (quietly) Katija, could you tell Mrs. Spencer that her husband is here. (Katija turns her head nearly 180 degrees to get a second look at the man at the car. Luke Spencer, man of myth and legend. Luke notices the attention and winks at her. Katija's eyes widen and she turns back to Stefan)

Katija: One moment. (She turns and moves hurriedly into the house. Stefan takes a breath, something he's never permitted himself to do in front of Spencer before, and moves to stand at the top of the steps. He is about to open his mouth to speak when he notices another figure in the car. The passenger side door opens and Alexis steps out. Stefan forgets all about Luke and the weather and steps down the steps into the rain.)

Alexis: Stefan! (Alexis slams the door shut, breathing in with euphoria of having located her brother, mixed with concern at his physical appearance. Her smile diminishes and she holds the map up over her head and dashes across the gravel drive towards him) What's happened? (Stefan looks at her blankly)

Stefan: Happened. (Alexis nods towards his clothing. Stefan looks down, noting that he is far from put together. He shakes his head. Alexis grabs his elbow and shoots a "be good" look at Luke. Luke puts up his hand)

Luke: Hey, never mind me! A little cold rain's good for the constitution. (Alexis ignores him, pulling her brother up onto the porch)

Alexis: I should have your head, Stefan. Really. (Stefan narrows his eyes at her)

Stefan: I have everything in hand.

Alexis: Well, don't you always? (she shakes her head) What's going on?

Stefan: Nothing for you to concern yourself with -- I came here in search of Nikolas -- (Stefan is cut off with the sound of the screen door opening and Laura appearing on the porch. Stefan turns and looks at her. Their eyes catch and she gives him a soft smile)

Laura: Stefan, I -- (She stops, glancing behind her towards the sound of the car motor. She freezes at the sight of her husband. His eyes are fixed on her, his jaw tight. Her jaw drops a little, then a warm smile spreads across her face. She moves down the steps towards him. Luke looks away as she approaches)

Laura: You found me.

Luke: Was I supposed to?

Laura: I... I left a sign --

Luke: Yeah, I found it.

Laura: I just wanted you to know where I was.

Luke: (jerking his head towards Cassadine) And him?

Laura: I had a moment. ON the street in London... I probably gave more of a clue than I meant to.

Luke: (raw) Laura.

Laura: I'm glad you're here. I didn't know if I would be, but I am. (Luke looks up at her, surprised at the statement, though he's not sure which part floors him more. His brow crinkles in confusion)

Luke: I --

Laura: We need to talk. (Luke's eyes flit over his wife's face, trying to put his finger on what about this seems strange. He's coming up empty until he realizes that he did not, on any level, expect her to be happy to see him. Or to talk to him like her lover was not standing behind them on the porch. He shakes his head, wondering which one of them is going crazy)

Luke: I'm here for Lucky --

Laura: So am I. (On the porch, Stefan watches this exchange, unable to hear what is being said. Alexis stands beside him, still trying to fathom his appearance)

Alexis: (concerned) Stefan, are you all right?

Stefan: No. (he looks at his sister) I have no idea where my son is. And Laura Spencer is proving to be a problem.

The Cove, Cassadine Island.

Lucky lies on his back on a large rock, letting out a slight groan as his skin comes in contact with the sun warmed surface. He puts his hands up to his head, moving his dripping wet hair back from his face and letting his hands rest there, holding his head, while his breathing returned to normal.

How exactly did he end up here?

Nikolas had taken him down the cliff face at the far side of the island to a smaller beach -- apparently the island had five, which irked Lucky since he'd only found three. But this one, to his credit, was hard to find. The cliff face was sheer and it wasn't visible until you got halfway down a pathway. Lucky had been following -- a feeling he always hated. He didn't like not knowing where he was going, and he never followed people. Not unless they had no clue he was there. He was only doing this now because... Oh, God did he have to have a reason for everything? Nikolas was acting strange. He was probably acting strange because Lucky had snapped and actually talked to him about Laura of yore. And he really wasn't sure he'd done that for the right reasons.

At the bottom of the path, there was a rock beach. Mostly large rounded rocks that looked out of place with the landscape. Entirely possible they had been imported. Strange place to put them, though. It was a small enclosure, a little deeper into the land than the other beaches he'd seen. And there was a strange rock formation jutting out into the water.

Nikolas stepped up on a large rock and pulled of his shirt, not looking back at Lucky. Lucky glanced around, shaking his head. This was getting weird.

"Haven't you already been swimming?"

"I like water."

"Maybe I should leave you two alone."

Nikolas had turned and looks over his shoulder at him.

"Do you swim?"

Lucky laughed. "No. I drive, I shoot, I pick locks... But I don't swim -- Of COURSE I swim."

Nikolas shrugged, kicking off his shoes.

"Then come see this."

With that, Nikolas leapt into the water. Lucky had blinked, not quite expecting that, and then scrambled up onto the rock just in time to see Nikolas disappear into the depths of the green-blue water, under some sort of rock formation. Lucky stared after him, then turns and looks back at the beach. He didn't get this. He didn't like the vibe he was getting off of the whole situation. He turned back to the water, looking at the place where Nikolas disappeared.

"Nikolas?"

Nothing. Lucky shakes his head. Ok...

"Nikolas!"

The wind above rustles trees. Waves lapped on the shore. Lucky ran a hand through his hair, cringing, then started to pull off his clothing, stripping to his boxers. His heart was pounding much louder than he wanted to acknowledge as he leapt into the water after his brother.

He bobbed back up to the surface almost immediately, blinking his eyes rapidly and reaching out to grip the edge of the rock he'd just jumped off of. Salt water. Damn him...

Taking a deep breath, Lucky submerged himself again and forced himself to swim blindly in the direction Nikolas had gone. He managed to find it, just as he ran out of air. He bolted back up to the surface cursing Nikolas viciously. That accomplished, he treaded water for a minute and gave serious consideration to what was going on here. He ran Nikolas's words and actions around in his head, trying to figure out just why he felt like he had to do this.

Deciding that this must be possible, Lucky took another deep breath, and pushed himself down the rock face, and forced himself to enter the opening he'd seen Nikolas swim through. On a complete leap of faith he pushed himself through the tunnel he found there until, only a few seconds later, he sensed light above him. Swimming upwards, blindly, he soon broke through the water, sputtering.

He was in a cave... Some sort of water filled spotted Nikolas through burning eyes almost immediately and glared at him. He was against the opposite wall, watching Lucky impassively, and holding the wall of the cave.

"You made it."

Lucky wanted to ask if he was expecting him NOT to, but the sentence died in his throat. It was argumentative and for some reason, Lucky was just not in the mood. Instead he just turned away, treading water, and took in his surroundings. The light came from two places -- one was an opening just ahead of him, not unlike the one he'd just came through, only it was above the water. All he could see through it was sky. The other was above his head. He shook his head.

"What is this place?"

Nikolas grabbed a rock ledge and pulled himself up out of the water. He moved smoothly over to the ridge, where he crouched down, leaning his back against the wall.

"I used to come here when I was a kid."

Lucky looked around, still trying to figure out what was going on around him.

"Uh huh..."

Lucky swam a few feet away from Nikolas, towards the other wall. There wasn't a ridge on that one and he had no real desire to join Nikolas on that side. Besides. The water was nice. Warm, and clear. If you could get over the salt water. Lucky had been in salt water before. But the last time had been a few years ago and he'd accidentally ingested some of the water and felt like he was going to be sick. Exposing that kind of vulnerability in front of Nikolas -- again -- was not something he felt like doing at any time. Feeling along the ridge, Lucky found a rock to hold onto. He gripped it with his hand maneuver around to face Nikolas. His brother was looking up at the ceiling, staring at the clouds and sky overhead with a blank expression on his face. Lucky again questioned just what he was doing here.

"What, you used to come here to play or something?"

Nikolas shook his head.

"I used to hide here."

Lucky stared at him.

"Hide."

"No one else knew about it. I could be alone here." He exhaled, a long slow breath. "I used to come here when... When I needed a break."

Lucky pushed off the wall and started treading again. There was an obvious question to be asked here.

"Why'd you bring me here then?"

Nikolas closed his eyes.

"You looked like you needed one too."

They hadn't said anything after that. Lucky had considered just exiting the place, not liking the fact that he'd ended up here under a strange kind of coercion, while fighting with the completely foreign idea that Nikolas was... Showing him something. He hadn't ASKED to be shown anything. He wasn't sure how he felt about just landing in this situation.

Under that, under the reason and outrage, something else was lurking. Something emotional and altogether disturbing. He finally decided that the only way he was going to get himself out of this was to just stop thinking.

Which he had. He'd sunk under the water, his eyes shut tightly, and just let himself hang there. Quiet, he'd give this. Completely separate and apart from everything. He let himself just give up. Let go, and be there. After everything that had already been said and gone over this morning, he hadn't realized how much he was craving a complete absence of everything. Silence... It was soothing. It was all too easy for him to see why Nikolas had come here.

Time passed, neither one speaking, both just staying there with the sound of the waves and the slight echo anytime the water splashed or Nikolas shifted on the rock ledge. It was taking space out of time, and the feeling of suspension began to unnerve Lucky. Finally, he moved back to the place he'd come up and saw Nikolas looking at him. He nodded, then submerging, coming back through the short tunnel without the same leap of faith feeling he'd had coming in. He'd burst through the water on the other side and climbed up on this rock, collapsing on his back to question, once again, what he'd just done.

It didn't bear thinking about, he realized heavily. Whatever it was, he had no deep thoughts, and any that were beginning to form, he didn't want to explore. He just wanted to lie here and feel the sun on his skin. And breathe. Breathing was good.

After a while, Lucky hears the sound of Nikolas emerging from the same tunnel. He opens his eyes, squinting in reaction to the sun. He puts his arm over his eyes, just listening to the sound of Nikolas's movements. He feels something hit him -- his shirt, tossed by Nikolas, no doubt. He sighs and looks over to see Nikolas pulling his own shirt over his head. He sits up and on dons the item of clothing. He looks out at the water, as he does up the buttons.

Lucky: Quiet here.

Nik: Always has been. (Lucky looks over at him.)

Lucky: So. (Nikolas glances over at him, pulling on his shoes) What did you come here to hide from? (Nikolas turns away, looking at the rock wall that gives no hint of what can be found behind it. He thinks for a long moment)

Nik: I don't know. Myself. (Lucky chuckles, tumbling off the rock and picking up his khakis.)

Lucky: Nice. (He starts to pull the pants on) Anyone ever tell you read too much? (Nikolas gives a small smile)

Nik: No. I think that's your job. (He turns and heads towards the path, away from the beach).

Katija's Cottage, the porch.

Laura comes out the door, holding a cup of the tea Katija had made earlier. She hands it to Luke, with a small smile. He takes it dutifully and sits back on the bannister of the porch.

Laura: You can come inside.

Luke: (shaking his head) I'm fine here. (Laura exhales, and crosses her arms. She leans back on the bannister as well, staring at the line where the planks of the porch meet the house)

Laura: Why did you come?

Luke: (clearing his throat) Alexis.

Laura: I see.

Luke: You left, Laura. I didn't think you wanted me following after you.

Laura: I made sure you knew where I was.

Luke: You know a phone call does that too.

Laura: I didn't think you'd talk to me. (Luke sighs)

Luke: You could have tried. (Laura closes her eyes)

Laura: Let's not do this. You said you were here for Lucky. I'm here because of Lucky too. Lucky and Nikolas. (Luke nods, turning the tea cup on it's saucer)

Luke: Why here? (Laura runs a hand through her hair)

Laura: I didn't know I was coming here at first. I... I wasn't doing well at home. Not at all. And I had already talked to my mother about taking Lu for a while --

Luke: Didn't think you should mention that to me? (Laura looks over at him)

Laura: God forbid I make a unilateral decision. I know you'd never do that to me. (Luke's eyes narrow)

Luke: You made a lot decisions without me, Laura. I just didn't know about any of them. (Laura sucks in her breath)

Laura: I did what I thought was best. And I didn't tell you because I couldn't do one more... (she stops as her voice begins to rise. She takes a breath) I should have at least left a note. But I thought you'd agree that Lulu was safe with --

Luke: I moved them. (Laura blinks)

Laura: Excuse me?

Luke: I moved them. (Laura stares at him)

Laura: I got the machine when I called last night.

Luke: They're safe. But Helena's on the prowl, I didn't want them left vulnerable. (Laura stares at him)

Laura: Has Helena done something else?

Luke: Her fingerprints are all over town back in PC. Way more than we thought they were. Where do you think our son is?

Laura: With his brother. Aside from that I'm not sure. (Luke blinks)

Luke: What makes you think he's with Nikolas? (Laura exhales)

Laura: Lulu told me. They met up after Lucky left town, I guess. Right before Nikolas left he told Lulu that he was going to see Lucky and swore her to secrecy.

Luke: (standing up) That little --

Laura: She talked to Lucky on the phone a few days later. He said the same thing. (Luke shakes his head)

Luke: You didn't --

Laura: Talk to him? Luke. I know he left town because someone was trying to hurt Emily. But the fact that he didn't have to deal with me anymore has to be one of the bonuses. (She runs her hand along the peeling paint on the bannister) I told you, when I left Port Charles all I knew was that I was going to leave Lulu with my mother and then go find my children. I looked into things -- I found out the charges on Nikolas's cell phone -- Lucky's call came from a public phone in New York. Nikolas stopped there on his way to Italy. After that, Lucky left no trail, but I didn't expect he would. Nikolas disappeared in broad daylight from a Museum in Rome. (Laura looks over at Luke pointedly) There was an alarm that went off.

Luke: Lucky.

Laura: Lucky.

Luke: How do you know all this stuff?

Laura: (shrugging) You taught the tricks. Stefan told me a thing or two, and I made some phone calls. I knew enough. I knew from Lulu that they were together. I just... (She frowns) The one thing I can't really make sense of is what they are up to. Emily can't be all that well --

Luke: It's been three weeks since the accident. (Laura nods)

Laura: I don't think Lucky will take any chances with her. I'm not sure how long her healing will take --

Luke: He took a chance when he got her out of the hospital. (Laura nods)

Laura: Yes, but --

Luke: What do you think is going on?

Laura: I don't know! I just know.... That something is. And it involves Helena.

Luke: So why here? Why come here?

Laura: Because. It's my only connection to the Cassadines anymore --

Luke: And Count Vlad in there? What about him?

Laura: I knew he'd probably look for me here. I just... (she shrugs) I told you. I wasn't sure what I was trying to do, I just wanted to find out all I could. Once I knew where I had to go, it was too late. Stefan was here. (Luke stares hard at the floorboards) But that's not important, Luke.

Luke: Where were you going?

Laura: To the compound. (Luke looks up)

Luke: Why?

Laura: Luke...

Luke: No, Laura. I want an answer, why were you going back there?

Laura: Helena is up to something. She must have been behind Emily's accident. And that woman who died, the one --

Luke: Hannah.

Laura: Hannah.

Luke: Laura. Do you know... Who she was?

Laura: Emily's aunt.

Luke: No, Darlin'. There's something else. She was... Nikolas's...

Laura: Oh no...

Luke: Afraid so. Caroline was at the hospital when she died. Lucky told her what was going on.

Laura: No, you said Helena sent her, and --

Luke: It was a mess, Laura. (Laura stares at him, her eyes wide, as the pieces fall into place for her)

Laura: Oh God... (she puts her hand up to her mouth) He came to the house the next day, he was... I knew something was wrong. When I found out he and Lucky were meeting up, I decided it had something to do with that, but... He was so upset. And he wouldn't say why! He... (Laura stops, her hand shaking.) Oh, no. Oh, God. He didn't tell me. (Luke says nothing. He puts down the tea, having not taken a sip, and slips his hands into his pockets)

Luke: Why were you going to the compound. (Laura just shakes her head) Laura, why. Why were you going back there?

Laura: (low) I have to see her again. (Luke stares at her, feeling himself go cold)

Luke: No you don't.

Laura: I can't let them take this on, Luke. Not this, not this thing. She blames ME for Stavros's death, she is going after my children because she knows it'll hurt me --

Luke: She is going after NIKOLAS because she thinks he's the heir! (Laura shakes her head)

Laura: No, Luke --

Luke: And Lucky has gotten dragged into this --

Laura: What do you think she was doing in the woods that day? Why do you think she went and talked to Lulu? Who was she trying to get to that day? (Luke stands up, infuriated)

Luke: Your son doesn't want that woman near Lu anymore than we do! That's the one damn thing I know that spawn and I can agree on!

Laura: Don't call him that!

Luke: Damnit! Don't give me this CRAP, Laura! Don't make me sit here and listen to you tell my you're really thinking you're going to go off and do something as stupid as this! (Laura stares at him, at the fury on his face and looks away. After a moment she starts to laugh. Luke, still catching his breath)

Laura: How am I going to now? You're the one person on this earth I can't run from. You'd find me in a heartbeat.

Luke: You could run from me if you wanted to. You could make it so I couldn't find you.

Laura: (looking down at her hands) And what about Lucky? Can he?

Luke: He can try.

Laura: (looking up at him) And? How well is he doing?

Luke: I know where he is. And Laura? Nikolas isn't with him. (Laura stares at him)

Laura: What?

Luke: Shhh... Alexis doesn't know that. (Laura shakes her head)

Laura: Luke, what are you saying?

Luke: Jason was helping him get Emily away. He did go to Italy. But he's not there now.

Laura: How do you know?

Luke: Jason gave him a name of a guy -- old associate of Sonny's relocated to Brindisi. Lucky went down there and got passage on a boat to Greece. (Laura sucks in her breath) Emily was with him. But that's all.

Laura: Then he's meeting Nikolas there!

Luke: I don't think so.

Laura: No, Luke. They're together -- they ARE.

Luke: Helena --

Laura: NO! (Laura stands up, her eyes blazing) No. No. I'd know. I'd just KNOW, do you understand?

Luke: Darlin' --

Laura: I am not going to listen to you about this! You don't WANT Lucky to be with Nikolas! You don't want Lucky to have anything to do with him! But I know my sons! I'm a mother, I can FEEL them. I have always been able to feel...

Luke: Have you? Would you even know if Nikolas --

Laura: He's fine. He has to be. I don't listen to anything else, Luke. Not from you, and not from Stefan. No one believes my sons would ever do anything like this, but I know them. I know... If Lucky went to Greece, then he was going to the island. And if he was going there, then Nikolas must have been with him. He just must have.

Luke: (shaking his head)

Laura: I'm going to the island. I'm going. You, Alexis and Stefan... you decide what you're doing. I"m not going to stay here one minute longer. My children need me. And I need them to know I take that serious. (Laura spins around on her heel and marches into the house. Luke stares after her, at a loss).

The Cassadine Compound, Lower level of the South Terrace.

Lucky climbs the steps up to the terrace first, Nikolas dragging behind. They didn't talk on the way back. Didn't even walk together, having hit some wall of togetherness they didn't want to explore any further. Besides, reality was beginning to reemerge for Lucky and it wasn't helping him to feel anymore at peace with what was going on here. He still didn't understand the cove. He didn't understand what had happened on the cliff. And Nikolas was getting more and more distant as the day went on. It was freaking him out more than he wanted to admit.

Lucky crosses the terrace and goes to stand at the far barrier facing the water. He rolls his neck, trying to stretch out the muscle. He aches. Some sort of strange feeling in his joints that he thinks might just be a product of drinking the night before. He remembers it from the morning he woke up in Brindisi after that sickeningly sweet liqueur. Not bad, if that's the worst punishment he gets for that sort of behavior.

Ok, that and this completely surreal day he was having.

He hears a noise behind him and exhales, bowing his head and squaring his shoulders Nikolas. He shakes his head. Ok, enough of this. He turns and sees Nikolas at the bottom of the stairs that head up to the second level. Nikolas sees him and nods, then turns to go up the stairs.

Lucky: Nikolas! (Nikolas stops and turns around, looking at him blankly) Come here. (There is a pause and Nikolas looks off at the horizon. After a moment's contemplation, he turns and descends the steps, crossing to Lucky. Lucky waits for him to stop in front of him. Nikolas looks at him expectantly) Why did you ask?

Nik: Ask what?

Lucky: About her. Why did you ask me?

Nik: I wanted to know. (Lucky turns and looks at him, his eyes unapologetically scanning him)

Lucky: I don't get you. I don't get how you.... (he stops, shaking his head and walks across the patio, trying to gather his thoughts) Why don't you ever get upset about anything? (Nikolas blinks)

Nik: Are you serious?

Lucky: I don't mean pissed off, Ok? I don't mean...

Nik: Throwing you against a wall "upset"?

Lucky: I mean Hannah! I mean Mom. I mean something more than just TENSE, more than just concerned --

Nik: I AM upset! I ... (he looks at Lucky, incredulous) I thought I ... I thought I said that on the cliff.

Lucky: (crossing back to him) Why won't you talk about her?

Nik: Don't.

Lucky: NO. You made me talk last night. You had help, but you asked all the questions. Then this morning, you lay on the guilt --

Nik: When has guilt ever gotten me anywhere with you? (Lucky shakes his head, brushing off that point)

Lucky: You're different today. Why?

Nik: I'm not different

Lucky: YOU'RE TOO CALM! You're too... Together. You weren't like this before we got here.

Nik: I have responsibilities here. I have --

Lucky: (sneering) Yeah, I know. You're a prince. You have to sneak around and act in ways you can barely stomach... And none of it is necessary.

Nik: It is right now.

Lucky: You're telling me we just got back from a place you went to hide from all of this stuff since you were a kid -- and you still want this?

Nik: It's not about what I want.

Lucky: Yeah... (Lucky looks off, his brow knit) But it's sure another good reason to exterminate the Dark One. (Lucky looks back at him) I don't get what you're up to here. (Nikolas closes his eyes and takes a deep breath)

Nik: I'm tired, Lucky. I'm tired of fighting, I'm tired of not understanding, I'm tired of always saying the wrong thing to you. I just wanted to say what I was thinking for once. That's all. And you didn't look like you were going to leap on me for it, so... I took a chance.

Lucky: I don't get this, man. (He puts a hand to his head) I just don't GET this. (he drops his hand and looks back at him) What's going on here?

Nik: With the island? Or with us. (Lucky jerks at the question and shakes his head, pacing the entire length of the terrace before coming back and looking at Nikolas)

Lucky: Do you think I'm afraid of that? (Nikolas looks up at him, his expression dead)

Nik: I don't know. I'm done guessing. (Lucky steps back. He looks at Nikolas appraisingly)

Lucky: Okaaaay, Nik. Can I ask you one question?

Nik: Shoot.

Lucky: (smirking) You have been around me too long. (He takes a breath) Appropriate word though. (He narrows his eyes at him) You know, you told me to leave you alone a long time ago. (Nikolas exhales, looking away) Nikolas. (Nikolas shakes his head and finally looks back). You did, right? You told me you didn't want me around.

Nik: I was confused. (Lucky sucks on his bottom lip, considering this)

Lucky: What do you want know? (Nikolas blinks)

Nik: You're... You're asking me... You're ASKING me --?

Lucky: (shrugging) I think I can take it.

Nik: (after a moment) You know what you said last night about.... About how maybe us growing up together wouldn't have been the worst thing in the world? (Lucky flinches inwardly, but doesn't display it. Yes, he said that.) I think I agree. And I think maybe... There's not much we can do about it now. (He looks away) You said it -- we are who we are. Maybe I'm just trying to figure out why. (Lucky closes his eyes and takes a deep breath)

Lucky: I don't want to do this anymore. (Nikolas breaths that in)

Nik: Do what? (Lucky shakes his head and looks at Nikolas, their eyes meeting)

Lucky: As long as you keep your word about this -- about taking down Helena so that we can both go back to whatever is left of our lives... Then I give, Ok? You say you're tired -- I can relate. When this is over, I don't want to think about any of it again.

Nik: This? Or any of it?

Lucky: ANY of it. Blank slate. (He shakes his head) I can't care anymore. (Nikolas nods)

Nik: You have my word. After everything that has happened, I can give you my word -- I'm not going to rest until Helena is out of everyone's life forever.

Lucky: Yeah.... (He looks down at the concrete) Well, what more can I ask for? (He looks back up) OH yeah! My bag... You want to explain that to me? (Nikolas raises his eyebrows)

Nik: That hasn't been brought to you yet?

Lucky: No. It hasn't. (Nikolas frowns)

Nik: I'll speak to Josef. That should have been taken care of. (Lucky eyes him)

Lucky: I do not like this.

Nik: NO, I can imagine you wouldn't. I'll talk to him. Really.

Lucky: I'd appreciate it. (They hear a cough behind them and both look to see Emily has appeared behind them. She gives a small smile)

Em: Interrupting again. Sorry. I just -- I came out to get some air, I thought I heard voices. (Lucky looks at Nikolas again, then backs up, moving towards Emily but holding his brother's eyes)

Lucky: No, everything's cool. Just signing contracts in blood. (Emily looks from each brother, clearly a little apprehensive)

Em: Well. Boys will be boys. I guess... (She cocks her head to one side and as Lucky approaches her) What's that? (Lucky, who had turned his attention to her, follows her gaze)

Lucky: What's -- (He stops. Out in the sea, the one he had been staring out all day -- just coming into view and far away, is a boat. A large boat.) A yacht. (Emily stares at it)

Em: I... I just hadn't noticed how few boats there are around her.

Nik: (staring at the boat) There are, from time to time.

Lucky: (moving away from Emily) Yeah? (Nikolas nods, and shrugs)

Nik: There are other islands. They're not as far away as the horizon suggests. Other families -- That looks like the Mediros Yacht. It's hard to tell from here. (He points out) It looks like there's a design on the front, some sort of sun burst. (Lucky squints)

Lucky: Yeah, so?

Nik: Mediros Yacht. They only have one.

Lucky: Peasants. (Nikolas gives a small laugh. Emily, still at the bottom of the stairs, just watches, feeling uneasy. There is something in the air here that is just not... Right. She steps up onto the stair, giving herself a little more height)

Em: I can't see it from here.

Nik: Well. (he turns back to her) It's not an uncommon sight. (Emily nods, not really knowing what she thinks of that. Above her, on the edge of the upper terrace, Josef appears)

Josef: My prince. (Nikolas, Lucky and Emily all look up. Josef nods to the other two) Mr. and Mrs. Spencer, excuse me. Prince Nikolas, may I speak to you a moment. (Nikolas stares up at Josef, his expression unreadable, then nods)

Nik: Excuse me. (He turns, not meeting either Lucky or Emily's eyes, and moves up the stairs and out of their view with his sworn servant, and disappear from view)