Chapter Two Hundred Eight:
Countdown

The Study, Second Floor, The Cassadine Manse.

Stefan walks slowly across the floor of his study, eying the books on the shelves that line the walls. They aren't right. In entirely incorrect places. Latin texts shelved next to Shakespeare. They follow no logic -- certainly not one he can follow. Though everything is immaculate, the disarray is obvious to him. It's a sign. A gaudy neon flashing sign that something has occurred. He turns, looking out at the window, and stroking his goatee absently. His thoughts are interrupted when he hears a sound behind him. He turns to see Laura standing in the door way, looking pale and antagonized.

Stefan: Laura.

Laura: I've.... (she stops, her eyes falling on a chair just inside the door. She lets out a long sigh) Can I sit here?

Stefan: Certainly. Yes. (Laura walks in, sinking immediately onto the chair. She pulls in a shaky breath, then straightens up and looks around the room. She frowns.)

Laura: This place... looks different. (Stefan nods, his gaze following hers)

Stefan: Yes. Since last I saw it, as well.

Laura: (not looking at him) The rest of it... It's very similar. (Stefan looks up at her) Very.

Stefan: Yes.

Laura: I tried to be prepared for that. (She closes her eyes) God, when is this going to end?

Stefan: Soon. (Laura's eyes fly open and she looks over at him) Laura: Do you know something? (Stefan looks at her a long moment, trying to decide what to say. Finally he looks past her and down the hall)

Stefan: Have you seen my cousin?

Laura: Not since you left the hall. Stefan. If something is going on, you have to tell me. (Stefan looks over at her) At the very least tell me that coming all the way back to this... place... That it wasn't for nothing.

Stefan: (after a pause) Something... Is amiss. (Laura's eyes narrow. She gives a small laugh)

Laura: Translation?

Stefan: (Smiling slightly) I believe Nikolas was here.

Laura: (Surprised) You do? But... That boy. Pappas, he --

Stefan: He's lying.

Laura: (taking a step back, wary) I thought the Pappas's were bound to your family. They were supposed to be unwavering and --

Stefan: I have had a Pappas lie to me before. At times the family's loyalty is... subject to politics.

Laura: What kind of politics? (Stefan says nothing) This... You're not saying you think he is on Helena's side in this, do you? (another long pause. Stefan finally looks over at Laura. The expression on her face demands an answer, out of pure decency. Not always something he's been subject to... but this is Nikolas they are discussing)

Stefan: I'm not certain.

Laura: What... Where is this coming from, Stefan?

Stefan: Things are... out of place. You will... You will have to trust me Laura. (Laura sits back, a little stunned at the request)

Laura: I've always trusted you... where Nikolas was concerned.

Stefan: I appreciate that. (Laura shakes her head, dismissing the comment)

Laura: Stefan.

Stefan: Yes? (She looks up at him, the question in her eyes)

Laura: Lucky.

Stefan: I don't know.

Laura: No. No, how could you. (Laura stands up) I don't know what to do with myself! I just... I was so sure they'd be here.

Stefan: They still might be. It is possible that is what Josef is endeavoring to cover up. AT this point, I can't pretend it's not a possibility that Nikolas would wish to conceal his presence from me. (The words are unconvincing. Perhaps there is truth to them, but neither believes that is what is going on here. Laura nods at the statement, nonetheless, staring off into the distance and pressing her lips together. Stefan watches the distracted and troubled look on her face) Laura.

Laura: (Looking back at him) Hmm?

Stefan: Perhaps... Perhaps Lucky is here.

Laura: (shaking her head) Luke said he was on his way here. Last we could track him.

Stefan: No. No, I meant -- Do you remember the pedestal at the top of the stairs? Did you notice it.

Laura: No... No, I don't think so.

Stefan: There was a bust of Stavros. It was in his study previously -- (Laura makes a face)

Laura: Yes, I remember it.

Stefan: It has sat on that pedestal at the top of the stairs for most of Nikolas's life. (he pauses) It's not there now.

Laura: I... I'm missing the connection.

Stefan: There was a mark on the floor -- quite clear. Something that would be repaired given the time... I believe the bust was pushed off the pedestal and onto the floor.

Laura: I see. (She stops, starting to laugh suddenly) OH. Oh, and only a hooligan like Lucky would do something like that, is that it?

Stefan: (frowning, quite serious) I have difficulty seeing Nikolas perpetrating such an act in the main hall of the mansion. His anger at me -- and his heritage -- is unmistakable, but here he has a role to fulfill. He's always understood that.

Laura: No. (She stops, catching her breath) No, it ... you're right. It sounds like Lucky. (a frown) Which only leaves one question.

Stefan: Where are they now.

Laura: And... what do we do about it.

Stefan: Laura. (Laura turns and looks at him)

Laura: I have to do something, Laura.

Stefan: Laura, there are things that --

Laura: What? What can there be? These are my children! This has gone on long enough, and we... Well, we both know too well where they might be if they are not here. We know what they were planning.

Stefan: We know what you feel they were planning.

Laura: (smiling sweetly) I'm not going to argue with you, Stefan. (Stefan looks away)

Stefan: There are things I can find out. But I have to call back to America.

Laura: How long will that take.

Stefan: (Looking back at her, with a hint of irritation) I don't intend to dawdle.

Laura: Fine then. I'll wait. (Stefan looks at her) Downstairs.

Stefan: (warningly) Laura. (Laura just raises her eyebrows at him and waits. Stefan does not finish the thought. She steps backwards, into the door frame)

Laura: I think I might take a walk around the grounds. (She turns and walks out of sight. Stefan grimaces, then picks up the phone).

The Chimera, Prison Room

"You're all Em's got now. And Nikolas… Well, you know him. He could use a good non-Cassadine influence. So you gotta promise me, if I get you to the hospital and everything, when you come out of this, you're going to use your influence for good, OK? "

"What kind of good?"

"Get him to loosen up a bit, you know? Smile occasionally or something. He can be really serious."

"Just with you..."

"I bring out the worst in him."

"You confuse him... He really cares about what happens to you."

"In spite of himself, huh?"

"No... In spite of everyone else."

Lucky jerks, his heart racing. He can feel his pulse pounding through him, at his body's sudden realization that it was fading into dream territory, and jerking him back. He exhales and sinks back against the wall of his plush prison. His breathing, heavy, is further labored by the weight of Emily, lying against his chest. Emily had passed out shortly after their bizarre reunion, giving Lucky far too much time to think.

There was only on thing worth thinking about. Yes, he was trapped in this room. Yes, Helena was holding most -- if not all -- the cards. And yes, he honestly had no idea how he was going to get out of this. But those weren't facts that changed with thought. There was nothing to think about there.

Nikolas, was another matter entirely.

He didn't know -- not for certain -- what had happened to his brother. And now that it was the only thing he could concentrate on, he had to admit the possibilities weren't giving him any warm fuzzy feelings. He'd close his eyes, and promises he'd made would float back to him. To his mother, to Hannah, to Lulu... to himself. He'd spent so much damn time and energy trying to protect that guy. That was the truth of it. He'd tried to make it all about something else, but in the end... He knew that was the core of it. He'd seen his brother lying in a pool of blood, terrified and unable to breathe, and something in him had just turned. Like a switch being flipped. And from that moment on he'd never really been able to watch Nik suffer. Not without feeling his own gut churn a bit. He hated it. He hated being held hostage to a Cassadine like this. It made him feel weak. And pathetic. And a part of him hated Nikolas for this. He'd hated him intensely, because whatever was infecting him, whatever led him to betray his father and everything he believed in... Nikolas was immune to it.

Or so he'd thought.

"I'm not here for your amusement, Lucky."

"Then I really have no other use for you."

"What if you get yourself killed?"

"I've made it this far."

"You ever consider what happens when your luck runs out?"

"Not really. But I bet you have. I can just imagine. If I'm dead… You'd love that, wouldn't you? No more competition, you can just move right in on Mom, on Lulu on everyone else --”

"I DO NOT WANT YOU DEAD! I don't want you to die, Lucky. "

Without invitation or warning, Nikolas had been everywhere. Getting on his case about Emily... Throwing hissy fits about his involvement with Jason, and then... All hell had broken loose. And through it all, there was this ongoing feeling... just there, under the surface, breaking through a bit too obviously sometimes... that he WANTED to be there.

Well. Whether or not Lucky felt annoyed or grateful for any of Nik's interference was not the issue -- the fact was, Nikolas had made choices that weren't just about him, and that had to mean SOMETHING. He refused to admit that all of this was adding up to him being stupid for trusting Nik. He just couldn't accept that. Nikolas had loved Hannah all too humanly, for starters -- and Lucky had seen that up close and personal. And... OK, without Nik -- and he still cringed to admit this -- He wouldn't have gone to the hospital after Emily was hit by the car. He still isn't sure why, but when Nikolas had accused him of wanting to find a ditch to fall into and bleed to death in... there had been some truth in it.

But what had done it was Emily. Taking Em into his house, letting Jason's men crawl all through the place, and keeping Stefan out of it without it even being spelled out... After that, on some tenuous level, things had changed. Lucky had started to trust him.

And somewhere in all this insanity, he'd started to think he knew him. He didn't realize that until yesterday, when so much failed to add up for him. The betrayal he was feeling at the idea of Nikolas picking up and leaving was coming, largely, from the sickening realization that Lucky just hadn't thought he'd do that. He'd thought Nikolas...

Oh, god... He feels his stomach contract.

He thought Nikolas had cared.

Well. It wasn't the first time, Lucky thinks bitterly. But it was sure as hell going to be the last if he found out that Nikolas had left to come here, had left them alone on that island with no warning and a PSYCHOpath for company...

That would be it, Lucky thinks coldly. That would be the end. Forget this tenuous brother thing. Forget all those things he'd said and done on the island -- things Lucky hadn't wanted to admit were adding up to something... forget all of it. He'd never trust a Cassadine again. He'd see them all burn.

Lucky closes his eyes and lets out a long breath.

Right. That's what he'd do. And NO part of him was going to feel like hell about it. No guilt, no hurt, no hauntings of ex-girlfriends dying in his arms and asking him to just go a little easier on the big lug. Nope. None of it was going to get to him. Just like nothing that happened outside that club had gotten to him.

Well, Spencer... with a mind like this, who need enemies?

“I know I wouldn't have gotten this far without you. But I had to take a leap of faith to do it. And that's fair because… you're right. I set the tone. So it's only fair I have to trust you first before I can ask you to trust me. But… I'm asking you now, Lucky… Trust me.”

“This isn't about us… “

“Oh, to HELL with that! It has ALWAYS been about us! It's been about everything we keep doing to each other because neither one of us wants to actually risk saying they care. I don't want to lose anyone else, Lucky! I lost Katherine, I lost Hannah… I'm not going to lose you.”

Lucky shakes his head, pulling himself out of this disturbing line of thought. Damnit. Missing piece. He wishes to God he could just KNOW, just say to himself without any doubt that Helena had either kidnapped Nikolas, or she was lying about him being there. Know that his brother would never do anything to put him in danger. Know that ...

Don't think it.

Too late. The words have already floated across his brain.

Know that he actually cared about him.

The Formal Garden, East Side of the house

Mariah drops the rose in her hand and looks up at her brother. She quickly covers her panic with scared confusion. She tries to pull her wrist away. It does not work. Josef's grip is strong.

Mariah: (softly) Let go.

Josef: You were speaking with Spencer. (Mariah looks up at him, eyes wide)

Mariah: Which one? (Josef just looks at her) I was coming to the garden to get the flowers for the table. He stopped me. (her voice shakes a little. She clears her throat) I didn't know what else to do.

Josef: (quietly threatening) Do you like it here, Mariah? (Mariah bows her head.)

Mariah: I know my place, Josef.

Josef: Your place is serving the prince.

Mariah: (looking back at him) Yes. (she pulls her hand away, but Josef still doesn't let go) The Prince! Not you.

Josef: And who do you think understand the prince's best interests better? (Mariah says nothing. She knows better. She's said too much already) We have a good life here.

Mariah: I think...

Josef: No one cares what you think. You are a chambermaid!

Mariah: (swallowing) Yes, Sir.

Josef: What did you say to Spencer?

Mariah: Nothing.

Josef: (leaning closer) I saw you, Mariah.

Mariah: He asked questions. He... he scares me. I was friendly, nothing more. I do not want to anger him. (Josef straightens slightly. Luke Spencer casts a long shadow on the island)

Josef: He's of no danger to you. None of them are.

Mariah: The count --

Josef: Forget about the Count. His time has passed. Do you understand?

Mariah: Yes.

Josef: And I saw the way you blushed around Lucky Spencer. Dear Sister... Entertaining impure thoughts?

Mariah: He is the Prince's Brother! I only did my best --

Josef: To please him? I have no doubt of that.

Mariah: Please. Please, just let me go. I did nothing wrong --

Josef: I want you off this island. You go home, you tell father nothing. You understand?

Mariah: Yes.

Josef: What do you understand?

Mariah: That I should not speak.

Josef: And why is that?

Mariah: It would... Betray the prince?

Josef: No.

Mariah: No?

Josef: No. You should not speak because if you do... I'll cut out your tongue. (Mariah pales. Josef's grip on her wrist lessens. It takes her a moment to notice, then she draws back , taking her wrist into her own hand)

Mariah: What is happening, Josef?

Josef: It does not concern you. Just worry about the cleanliness of the floor and your precious flower arrangements.

Mariah: But... something will change.

Josef: Not for you. (he backs away from her) You know what happens to women who do not understand their place here, Mariah.

Mariah: I know. I do.

Josef: Good. Then there will be no further problems. (Mariah bows her head in acquiesce, and drops her wrist)

Mariah: I will go to the boat now. (She looks up, and is about to open her mouth to say something else, when she hears a truly terrifying sound. Her eyes widen as she sees it register with Josef. A helicopter. Taking off, overhead. And Josef, obviously, is NOT the one driving. Her brother jerks his head up to look, but can't see anything. He looks back at her, his eyes on fire)

Josef: What did you do!

Mariah: I swear -- I SWEAR, Josef -- (She's cut off as Josef hauls off and slaps her across the face with a ferocity that sends her flying. She lands on the ground, scraping her palms on the hard earth, and exploding with tears. She looks up at her brother, and he spits on her viciously.)

Josef: You will pay for this.

Mariah: It is not my doing!

Josef: Don't you dare move from here, Mariah -- Don't you make this worse for yourself. (Mariah looks at him in terror. Finally, she nods, unable to do anything else. Josef turns, leaving her in the dirt, and runs through the hall, towards a back staircase, to investigate)