Chapter Two Hundred Eleven:
The Brothers Grim

Over the Aegean

The dot on the horizon has grown in size and taken on a shape. Yacht, yes. This they know. And while the waters are not exactly Yacht-infested, Luke isn't counting any chickens. He stares at the boat on the horizon as if he could make it burst into flame with his eyes. It grows in size as they move towards it in silence. Suddenly Alexis makes a noise and nearly jumps in her seat, seeing the sunburst on the boat)

Alexis: That's it! (Luke starts) That's Helena's yacht. Oh god, that's it, Luke!

Luke: You sure? (Alexis laughs)

Alexis: The Chimera gives off a vibe, Ok? It's one evil water craft.

Luke: (looking at her) It's a boat!

Alexis: Owned by the antichrist -- come on, you are NOT going to disagree with me on this one.

Luke: Not even a little bit. (he looks at it again. He wants to laugh with Alexis, but something in his chest is tightening, and knowing that the boat in front of them is where he was told he'd find his son does not, for some reason, make anything feel less tense) What do we do now?

Alexis: We land. There's a launch pad on the top deck.

Luke: And if they don't like that?

Alexis: We land anyway. And hope they don't shoot at us with anything big enough to take out the power source. Though, even if they did --

Luke: We'd just land harder.

Alexis: And probably a little bruised. (she takes a breath) We found her Luke. The hard part's over. (She frowns) Or just beginning. (Luke nods, as he lifts his arm and points out over the water in front of them)

Luke: What the hell is that? (Alexis follows Luke's hand and sees a speed boat, blue and silver, come around the back of the yacht -- at some distance, and then speed off in the direction they have just come. She catches her breath)

Alexis: No idea.

Luke: But nothing good.

Alexis: No. (they stare as the boat flies across the water. They are significantly above, but still... there is something unnerving about this)

Luke: They have to see us. They know something is going on.

Alexis: Nothing we can do. We can't land on it -- We'd kill everyone on board and sink into the sea.

Luke: Yeah, scratch that plan. (the boat passes beneath them) I don't like that. At all.

Alexis: We're... Just gonna have to be fast. And efficient. (she looks over at him. God, he doesn't look good. She forces a smile she doesn't feel) I'm good at that. And you'd be surprised the things I learned in law school. I can suck out someone's soul in under five minutes. (Luke absorbs this, then gets an odd look on his face and turns to look at her. Alexis raises an eyebrow, and Luke gives a small laugh)

Luke: (shaking his head) Just get us there. We'll do something.

Alexis: (looking back at the boat, her voice soft) Cassadine Kryptonite with Legs. Don't forget who you are, Luke.

Luke: Do me a favor, Natasha... (he hits her birth name, giving it extra meaning) Don't forget who you are either.

The Chimera.

Lucky lets out a long breath, aware that every muscle in his body has tensed up in response to seeing his brother. Breathe, Spencer, he tells himself. Just breathe. He drops his gaze to the floor a moment, letting himself regroup. He wasn't expecting that... And frankly, he's not sure how he feels about it. Part of him is so mad at Nikolas he wants to reject anything Nik might have planned. The other part... Frankly, is hoping to get out of this alive, and knows that this is probably in his favor. Ok. Good... Good -- new cards. He can kill Nikolas later. He feels the sensation of the ground under him return, and straightens up, blinking his eyes. He looks Nikolas dead in the eye, and feels a chill run down his spine. It's a good thing, he tells himself again -- but the look on Nik's face doesn't suggest that. He looks spooky. Like nobody's home behind that cold look in his eyes. Lucky looks away, unnerved, and managed a slight laugh. Just keep playing the game, Spencer. You're going to get out of this somehow. He gives a smirking smile.)

Lucky: Nikolas. (The name is dragged out a bit, and he looks back at him, cocking his head) Finally making an appearance? (Nikolas doesn't blink, doesn't say anything. Just stands with his hands behind his back, and looks at Lucky. Lucky lowers his head slightly, since Helena is -- regrettably -- behind him and can't see his face. He stares at Nikolas intently, trying to communicate something -- anything -- to him. Come on, Nik, he thinks -- It's show time! Do something! Nikolas doesn't register any sign of receiving any sort of message at all from Lucky. Lucky feels his facial muscles twitch, wanting desperately to abandon all this detached cool-guy stuff and grab onto pure anger. Ok, so maybe Nik was playing a game too, but it would be NICE to be LET IN ON THE RULES! Lucky finds his expression turning into a sneer.) Nice to see you're still breathing. Emily nearly wasn't. (Nikolas blinks at that. Oh goody! Lucky thinks. A reaction. Nikolas's eyes move from Lucky's to look over his brother's shoulder to Helena)

Helena: (lightly) Lucky seems disturbed that Josef got a little... overzealous with Miss Quartermaine.

Nik: (softly) I'm not particularly enthusiastic about that either. (The room around Lucky seems to breath -- exhale -- and the walls feel like they are moving further away from him. Damnit. He grits his teeth, still looking at Nikolas, trying not to let his brain shut down on him. Clearly he has no clue what is going on here, but he's got to keep his wits about him. That's the name of the game...)

Helena: You can handle his insubordination in due course. At the moment there are more pressing matters to attend to. (Nikolas raises his brow. Lucky slowly raises his hand. Nikolas looks back at him, as if he's just remembered he was there.)

Lucky: (a bit distantly, his eyes fixed on Nikolas) I think she's talking about me. (Nikolas frowns slightly)

Nik: You find this funny? (Lucky blinks)

Lucky: (softly) You would be amazed at how much I don't find this funny.

Nik: No. Perhaps not. (Nikolas frowns) For once you've gotten YOURSELF in trouble instead of the people around you. (Lucky flinches automatically at Nik's words. He feels his face heat. No... at least he knows what game they're playing now. And luckily it's the same one he was playing a minute ago.)

Lucky: Actually, Nik -- From my perspective it looks like YOU got me into this little jam. (He glares at him... not hard) Nice to tell me you were taking a little trip.

Nik: Yes. That. (exhales) At one time, I might have felt remorse regarding that.

Lucky: (flat) At one time. (Nikolas looks up, his eyes still empty and ice cold. Lucky notices that something is wrong with his brother's gaze -- something besides the unnerving way he's looking at him. But just what it is, is eluding him)

Nik: It's been an illuminating twenty-four hours. (Helena moves from behind Lucky, smiling knowingly. She moves over to Nikolas and puts her hand on his shoulder. Lucky expects to see Nikolas flinch at his grandmother's touch... just a little... but he doesn't react. Helena smirks at Lucky over her grandson's shoulder. Lucky feels his stomach tighten. He wishes to God the other shoe would hurry up and drop. Nik is up to something, but Lucky's at the end of his rope. He wants to know what it is, NOW. He looks at Nikolas steadily)

Lucky: You want to bring me up to speed?

Nik: We have some things to discuss.

Lucky: Well, I applaud your choice of venue.

Helena: (laughing lightly) Oh, lovely choice of words! I believe my grandson has been educational company for you.

Lucky: (tense) You might want to check out my SAT's before you credit him for my vocabulary.

Nik: He's a little sensitive about that, Grandmother. (Nikolas's tone disturbs Lucky. His voice is eerie. Unreal.)

Lucky: You want to talk to me, Nik -- fine. But get rid of the psycho-granny. I'm not in the mood.

Nik: I don't think you're in a position to make the decisions here, Lucky. (Lucky catches Nik's eyes and stares into them hard, trying to read them. Nothing. There is just nothing there. He shakes his head)

Lucky: And what position am I in, Nik? What have you gotten me into?

Nik: Nothing you didn't volunteer for.

Lucky: I'm beginning to think I'm being too subtle for you, here, Nikky.

Nik: Not at all.

Helena: (chiding) Oh, Lucky! Don't play games. You know how Nikolas detests them.

Lucky: I'll quit if you will.

Helena: (looking at her grandson) Nikolas?

Nik: (steadily, but low) Give it some thought, Lucky.

Lucky: (losing all patience) Nikolas, word is this is my last hour on earth -- maybe you'd like to do me the favor of just cutting to the chase, Ok?

Nik: I know what you did.

Lucky: Last summer? You're going to have to be more specific.

Nik: I know you did it. (He looks Lucky in the eyes) I know you killed Hannah.

The East Terrace, Cassadine Compound

Laura feels her heart careen against her rib cage, and stick. God DAMN it --

This place is always crawling with bad guys, even the ones sworn to protect and serve her son from cradle to grave. She looks from the hand gripping her wrist, up to the dark eyes of her now-clearly marked opponent.

Laura: Let go of me. (Josef just stares at her) Let go of me, or I'll scream. (On cue, and in the blink of an eye, a switch blade appears in Josef's hand. He flicks it open and applies the point just under Laura's chin. She raises her chin, away from the knife, though she's immediately aware that her neck is now exposed and vulnerable to him. She clenches her free hand in frustration, but says nothing)

Josef: I would not recommend that.

Laura: (strained) You can't kill me.

Josef: I can sever your jugular with a flick of my wrist -- I think that would do the trick.

Laura: (strong, but with a slight tremble due to the tension in her throat) I'm the Prince's mother.

Josef: Ah... (he turns the blade slightly, pressing the flat edge against her neck) And you believe that is reason enough to spare you? Some would say it's reason to order your execution.

Laura: (from between gritted teeth) I don't care what your opinion of me is, Josef. My son would never condone what you're doing right now. (Josef lets out a long sigh)

Josef: No. No, perhaps not -- but Nikolas can be hopelessly sentimental where his family is concerned. Which is why Helena left strict orders that neither you nor Lulu be harmed. (Laura sucks in her breath)

Laura: You don't know where Lulu is! You can't!

Josef: We are not concerned with Lulu's whereabouts -- that is the only reason she is safe. And you were supposed to remain safe as well -- until you pushed things a little to far, Laura. Now you've put me in a rather awkward position.

Laura: My sincere apologies, I'm sure. (Josef flips the blade up again, digging the point ever so slightly into the soft flesh under her chin. Laura gasps in pain, as she feels the sharp sting of the superficial cut) I'm not going to be any good to anyone dead, Josef.

Josef: That has been the subject of much debate. (Laura frowns. Debate... ah ha)

Laura: Oh. Oh, I see.

Josef: (looking over his shoulder, scanning the horizon) See...

Laura: (laughing slightly) I thought you were playing along with a plan. You're not -- You've just taken a misstep, haven't you?

Josef: You talk far too much, Mrs. Spencer.

Laura: I'm not disagreeing with you. I thought you were merely acting on Helena's orders -- but you have delusions that you can act on your own. (Josef tense, then turns slowly back to her. He jerks her body up against his, growling directly into her face. Laura feels a rush -- she's getting to him. At this moment, getting him angry and waiting for a slip up is about the only chance she has)

Josef: I'm an insurance policy, Mrs. Spencer. In the past, Mrs. Cassadine's plans have had a tendency to fall into chaos, and not the variety that acted in her favor.

Laura: You're a flunky. (His eyes darken) And what's more, when I lived on this island, Pappas was a proud and respected name. You've disgraced it.

Josef: You don't know what you're speaking of.

Laura: I know one thing. (Laura's eyes flash, looking directly into her assailant's) You're going to die.

The Chimera.

Staring at the unreadable expression on his brother's face, Lucky is honestly at a loss for words. How the hell do you respond to something like that? He just looks at Nikolas with pure incredulity.

Nik: (flat) I knew you wouldn't have anything to say. (Lucky shakes his head)

Lucky: I have a lot of things to say -- but you probably don't want an audience for them. (he exhales. Ok. So that was a curve ball. Nikolas can't expect Lucky to play along with the accusation -- after all, Helena knows damn well who killed Hannah. Lucky notices Nikolas seems to be struggling -- first real sign of emotion he's spotted. His brother licks his lips absently, as if he's trying to see if he still has a mouth, still has the capability of speech. Lucky frowns at the gesture.)

Nik: You're not even going to try to deny it.

Lucky: No. Of course not. (Lucky straightens) Because we both know damn well who killed Hannah. And it wasn't me. (Nikolas shakes his head, slightly. Lucky notices him sway just a bit. In fact, he realizes, Nikolas isn't doing much moving, but his breathing... It's a bit labored. The look he saw in Nik's eyes a moment ago starts to make sense.)

Nik: I know what you told me.

Lucky: (smiling without humor) And what... What did SHE tell you, Nik? (Nikolas looks away from him)

Nik: It's what she showed me.

Lucky: You want to explain --

Nik: (suddenly angry) I don't have to explain anything to you! (Lucky jumps. The rapid change in demeanor is so sudden, and so far away from Nikolas's behavior a few moments earlier, that Lucky is actually caught off guard. Off guard isn't supposed to be in his vocabulary today.)

Lucky: (Under his breath) Jesus, Nik.

Nik: I know what you did. (Nikolas's voice is shaking) I know what you DID to her! (Lucky takes a step back. Nikolas's face has suddenly got beet red, and he looks like he could, honestly, blow up on the spot. For the first time, Lucky lets the thought that's been hiding in the back of his mind come to the forefront -- maybe Nikolas isn't playing a game. After all, there is Helena, the woman who killed his lover, leaning on his shoulder, a small smile playing on her lips. Lucky shakes his head slightly, partly in response to Nik's fury, and partly because, despite everything he knows of Helena -- he's still amazed she can look so calm in the face of this much emotion. Nikolas turns away from both of them, pulling away from Helena and covering his face with the back of his hand. Lucky watches him pull in a strained breath. Struggling. Struggling, Lucky realizes, for real)

Lucky: (distantly, the truth descending) I tried to save her, I called the ambulance -- (Nikolas turns on him)

Nik: Exactly. You were there -- you shot her, and then you stayed there and waited for the paramedics to come and save her! (The twist on events hits Lucky hard, and he averts his eyes, shaken. His gaze falls on Nik's wrist. He notices that his brother is trembling. It's not an act. It's not an act. Nikolas speaks again, his voice dropping to a near whisper, and Lucky feels like his words are alive -- moving into him and beating on the inside of his skin) One thing I've noticed all this time -- you know how to turn a situation your way. I watched you do it over and over again. I watched you teach Emily how to do it -- but you wouldn't share your secrets with me, would you? That was out of the question. Here you are on the road with me, acting like you're doing me and the world this tremendous service... and the whole time, you're tagging along to watch me kill the woman you blamed for your crime. (Lucky swallows carefully. His mouth feels incredibly dry all of the sudden)

Lucky: (quietly) Listen to what you're saying.

Nik: It's the only thing that makes sense. (Lucky laughs slightly. He looks up, noting the beads of sweat gathering on Nikolas's hairline)

Lucky: I don't have a motive. (Lucky catches Helena moving around -- circling them -- out of the corner of his eye)

Nik: She was spying on your family.

Lucky: You think that would be enough?

Nik: No. (There is a pause. Lucky waits expectantly) I know about Oliver Taggalati. (Lucky blinks. Was that supposed to mean something? His eyes fly over his brother, taking everything in. He notices a thin veil of perspiration on his forehead, a flush creeping up his neck. He looks cold, but everything about his body suggests something different.)

Lucky: That makes one of us.

Nik: (dull, distant) I looked into it. In New York, before I came to Rome. I know what she was. I know what she did. She didn't deserve to die for it. (Lucky shakes his head.)

Lucky: Nik, look at me. (Nikolas turns a seemingly apathetic gaze on Lucky. Lucky nods slightly) Good. (The tone in Lucky's voice alarms Helena ever so slightly. It sounds like he's speaking to a wild animal with it's leg caught in a trap).

Helena: (coming up behind Lucky) My, this IS interesting. Look how friendly he suddenly gets. (Lucky ignores her)

Lucky: (softly) Can you see me, Nik?

Nik: Perfectly. (Lucky shakes his head.)

Lucky: You look like hell, bro. (Lucky notes a slight reaction to the fraternal reference. He was aiming for it. He's looking for buttons, trying to press them. Trying to remind Nikolas of who he's talking to right now. He sees Nikolas shake it off, ever so slightly, with a shrug).

Nik: That's of no matter.

Lucky: (taking a step towards him) She did something to you.

Nik: (blankly) She? (Lucky feels something in him snap. Enough of this! If he has to scream Nikolas out of this, he will)

Lucky: HELENA! The woman you came here to kill? She did something to you, Nik. Come on! It can see it, it's in your eyes -- she drugged you, man! (Helena claps her hands and laughs)

Helena: Oh, yes. That's it, Lucky. Explain to him how I have manipulated the situation. You've proven yourself so trustworthy.

Lucky: (to Nik) Don't listen to her, Nik. Just look at me. You know what the truth is. (Nikolas shakes his head. Lucky drops his voice) She's trying to confuse you. That's all this is.

Nik: (strained) You're wrong.

Lucky: Do you think what you're feeling right now is normal? Think about it. The room's got to be swimming on you. You know it's not right. You know that. And the rest of it's not right either. (Lucky's voice is soft -- almost lulling. Nikolas almost seems moved by it. Something -- life -- flickers through his eyes. Lucky feels like a solution is hiding in there some place) I didn't lie to you. (his eyes seem to bore into Nikolas's -- daring him to find any shame in them. Nikolas glances away)

Nik: You think I'm a basket case. (there is a glimmer of hurt in his voice. Lucky jumps on it)

Lucky: Yeah, you're not exactly giving me a lot of reason to review that opinion. LISTEN to me! She did the same thing to Emily -- only worse. She -- (Nikolas looks back at him).

Nik: Gave me a mild sedative. Nothing I didn't need.

Lucky: A MILD -- (he stops short. Ok. OK -- Deep breath) A mild sedative is what Aunt Bobbie gave me after your grandmother here hit Emily with a car! Whatever Helena's got you on could make an elephant feel woozy.

Nik: There is no proof that my grandmother had anything to do with the car accident. (Lucky takes a step back. Oh, COME on!)

Lucky: No PROOF?

Nik: Circumstantial evidence. Hearsay. Nothing concrete. (Lucky frowns)

Lucky: What's your idea of concrete, Nikolas? Do you want her to drop an anvil on your head with "I did it" painted on the side? (He reaches out and grabs Nikolas's arm) She's evil come out to play, what more do you want? (Nikolas looks at him a moment. He leans forward half a second, then pulls away, taking a few steps back and rubbing his arm like the devil himself has touched him)

Nik: (quiet anger) You would say that. (Lucky puts up his hands. Damnit. So close... To what, he's not sure. But to something).

Lucky: Look -- you're not thinking straight, you CAN'T be. It's chemically impossible. (Helena chuckles)

Helena: A Spencer going to lecture you on rational behavior, Nikolas. Are you taking notes?

Nik: (pulling in a shaky breath) Ironic. This Spencer in particular. (Lucky stares at him. Jesus CHRIST, he's actually doing this. He's actually taking Helena's side. She's got him... She's spun a cocoon around him, and anything Lucky knows as his brother is lost inside. His stomach drops)

Lucky: (Low, almost a growl) You bitch.

Helena: Watch your tongue, Lucky. You don't want to invoke our anger further, do you?

Lucky: (exhaling) Christ. (He looks at Nik) You really believe this, don't you? You really do. (Nikolas stops rubbing his arm. He looks up and straightens to full height)

Nik: I told you. I've been illuminated.

Lucky: Or brainwashed, as we say on planet earth.

Nik: Was I supposed to have some sort of loyalty to your version of what happened? Despite what I have been shown? (Lucky shakes his head. He can feel his body nearly vibrating with repressed fury and hurt. This can't be happening.)

Lucky: (thick with bitterness) Oh, and what have you been shown, Nikolas? (He looks up at him) Let's just get it out.

Nik: (unmoved) Just enough to verify what I always believed about you.

Lucky: Which is?

Nik: That you're immoral, selfish, and essentially evil.

Lucky: That's what you think, huh?

Nik: You've never given me a reason to think otherwise. (Lucky smiles bitterly. Son of a bitch...)

Lucky: (quiet) Ohhhhh... You know that's not true.

Nik: If you're talking about holding my paternity over my head, Grandmother has been well aware of that fact since my birth. (Lucky looks up sharply. Nikolas stares back at him with eyes that look like stained glass. Nothing there. He shakes his head)

Lucky: (with no breath) No.

Nik: As far as I can tell, the only people that benefited from that secret were Laura, Stefan -- And you. You all got to keep me right where you wanted me. In your collective pocket. (Lucky feels all the blood leave his head. He shakes his head dizzily)

Lucky: She can't know.

Helena: How slow do you think I am, Lucky? I know what I saw on that island. I took steps to ensure I had the facts. I've known Nikolas's true parentage before you were ever concieved.

Lucky: No. No way. (Lucky closes his eyes tightly, struggling against an overwhelming urge to be sick. He can't do that. He can't let them know how badly this is getting to him... What the hell was the point? If Helena knew, what was he protecting Nikolas from? He realizes his breath is quickening to a dangerous speed, and opens his eyes. He openly reels, turning away and trying to get a grip on himself. Helena, clearly delighted, approaches Lucky's turned back)

Helena: (sing-song) Do you think me an idiot? Do you truly believe I was unaware of what was going on under my nose? Lucky -- I'm disappointed. (Lucky shakes his head. Colors are appear to bright, and flashbulbs seem to be going off just out of view.)

Lucky: Get away from me.

Helena: I don't think you're in any position to make any demands. (Lucky feels Helena's talon-like fingers close around his upper arm. He pulls away but it's a startlingly weak effort. The room is darkening on him. He drops his head. Darkening because he feels like he's just been turned inside out. And he's panicking. He knows better than this. He feels Helena lean against his back, and tenses, standing up straight, as Helena's breath brushes along his neck, whispering in his ear) You have nothing to hold over Nikolas's head, my dear. You have no way to control him now. He is under my protection. Your mother will never tell the truth -- you know that well, don't you? You are on your own now, Lucky. With nothing left to defend yourself. (At her words, Lucky sucks in his breath, finally feeling like air is making it to his lungs. He repeats this, forcing his breathing -- which was dangerously shallow -- to deepen and feed his body. He closes his eyes and breathes in and out, concentrating on that and that alone as he feels Helena peel her body from his. Helena smiles at the sight of young Spencer finally looking devastated by something. HE believes now, she thinks. He knows the truth -- that he's lost. That he's at their disposal now. She turns expecting to meet her grandson's gaze, but Nikolas is staring at Lucky with his face utterly blank. No emotion at all. But no pleasure either. She frowns) Nikolas, dear. Would you like to sit down? (It takes Nikolas a moment to acknowledge her words. He turns and looks at her. After a moment, he shakes his head)

Nik: (nearly robotic) I want to hear what he has to say.

Helena: (shaking her head) It is up to you, my darling. (Nikolas looks back at Lucky. Lucky's body shudders as he pulls in a particularly deep breath, then he turns, eyes open, and looks at his brother, eyes clear and blue as the Aegean. His expression is one rarely seen -- Calm, unshakable, unnervingly open. Inside his heart is beating like a jackhammer, but Lucky gives no external sign of it. He fixes his gaze on Nikolas and swears to himself not to let it waver. He's not going to do what they want. Rule number one -- always do the unexpected. In this case? Do anything but fall apart. Just confront the monster.)

Lucky: So explain this to me, Nikolas. (Lucky's words are very careful, very even) Tell me what I did. Tell me why.

Stefan's Study, Cassadine Compound.

Stefan hangs up the phone, a grim expression on his face. He feels as if he is coming up against a brick wall -- his only clue the fact that he's certain that Josef is lying, and that his son has been to the island. Beyond that, nothing concrete has been turned up -- no sign of Helena, and no word of any of her henchmen. He's unaccustomed to being this out of touch, or uncertain. His eyes catch a mark on the desk top, and something occurs to him. He leans forward, opening the top button of his shirt and pulling his medallion out by the chain. He lifts it from around his neck and leans across the desk, slipping the chain off.

He reaches over and picks up a statue on the desk. He puts down the gun, and slides his medallion into a slot on the item. It pops open, and he pulls out a key. He takes the it, and slides the key into another slot that the statue had been covering up. He turns the key and a hidden drawer slides open. He holds his breath unwittingly as he looks down.

There is something in the drawer. He reaches in gingerly and removes a wooden box. He recalls it -- something that he had given to Nikolas as a child -- a safety box, a place to keep things -- affording him a bit of the privacy he'd never had as a child. He'd never intended to use his medallion to open it... but then again, he had not had the lock mechanism made to only match Nikolas's medallion.

Stefan: Forgive me, my son. (the words hold irony not lost on Stefan. Forgive me one more thing... he slips the medallion into the slot and opens the box. He blinks at what he finds... Ashes. He frowns as it dawns on him. Nikolas is planning to come back... these are the remains of Corrine Gibbons.) Dear lord.

Mariah: (in Greek) I am sorry. (Stefan looks up, as startled as he ever allows himself to appear. The girl is gripping the door jam, her expression bearing the signs of shock, his lip bleeding, and her white blouse smeared with dirt. She takes an unsteady step into the study) I went to the wrong man. But I was only responding to his distress about his son --

Stefan: (standing) Mariah. What happened to you? (Mariah looks up at him, shaking violently. Stefan reaches across the desk and takes her wrist. She flinches)

Mariah: My brother. I must tell you about my brother.

Landing Pad, Topmost deck of the Chimera.

Alexis lowers the aircraft slowly onto the empty pad, aware of Luke's impatience. Time is of the essence, but the helicopter is their only means of transportation. Not a good idea to gum up the works -- though in her current mind set, if anyone was to get in the way, she'd happily land on them. She realizes she's been holding her breath when the craft touches down. She looks over and Luke looks at her meaningfully. He takes his gun in his right hand and closes his hand around it.

Luke: Ready?

Alexis: I want to keep the blades running, just for a minute. See if they rush us.

Luke: Only an idiot or the headless horseman's going to come on before shutdown. And we don't have the time to waste, counselor.

Alexis: (shaking her head) There should be someone up here.

Luke: (nodding) We're at the gates of hell, where's the three-headed dog? (he glances at her) You know what I've learned about Cassadine strongholds over the last twenty years?

Alexis: (wincing) I don't want to --

Luke: You all hire idiots for your muscle.

Alexis: Regardless -- they must have heard us.

Luke: Yeah, I know. There should be someone around every corner. All the more reason to move. Besides -- that racket is drawing attention.

Alexis: You don't do subtle in a helicopter, Luke. (Alexis sighs, then commences shutdown. The blades slowly come to a stop, and Luke gingerly opens the door. Alexis undoes her seat belt and takes her gun. She leans against Luke's back and they both peer out the door. Luke suddenly jerks back.

Luke: (shouting) MOVE! (He pulls the door back, and Alexis throws herself away from him, back against the other side of the copter. A bullet ricochets off the helicopter, and another skims the bulletproof glass. Alexis swears violently)

Alexis: See? I told you!

Luke: Where did I disagree with you? At least now we got a direction. (Alexis lets out her breath.)

Alexis: Somewhere, I must have made a hell of a wrong career choice. (She grips her gun, and sits forward, eyes meeting Luke's) So now what?

The Terrace, Cassadine Compound.

Josef backs up, looking down at the smile on Laura's Spencer's face. Insolent little bitch...

Josef: I don't see how you're in any position to start issuing threats. (Laura shakes her head)

Laura: They aren't my threats. I've been a player in this game since before you were born, Josef. I know the rules, and I know what Helena does when one of her men breaks them.

Josef: I'm not one of her men.

Laura: Well, then there's no hope for you at all, is there?

Josef: You say your neck is safe because you have Nikolas's love... is that not your argument? My neck is safe because I have Nikolas's trust.

Laura: That's not going to be long-lived once he knows what you have done.

Josef: You haven't a clue what is going on here. Not a clue.

Laura: Care to enlighten me?

Josef: You are so intensely stupid. (he pushes her back from him in disgust. She stumbles and looks up at him. He gestures to her with the knife) All you were ever asked to do was keep your mouth shut and do what you were told. You could have had a good life here -- in the lap of luxury, a PRINCESS for the love of God. But that wasn't enough for you!

Laura: That bothers you, doesn't it?

Josef: Nothing bothers me. I have seen the end of your fairy tale, Laura Spencer, and it is well suited.

Laura: (derisively) Dying at your hand? That won't work -- you're only a bit player.

Josef: Don't underestimate me.

Laura: I'm trying not to. (she nods towards his knife) Given the fact that you're threatening the Price's mother with a knife, I have to take into account that you're clearly a psychopath.

Josef: (cocking his head) Are you trying to get me to kill you?

Laura: (laughing slightly) Well, it would certainly help guarantee that my son know which of his men are in his corner and which aren't.

Josef: (chuckling) You don't understand what has happened here, do you? When Nikolas returns it is YOU who will be abandoning his corner. (he sighs) Or rather, that was Helena's plan. But she has a flair for the dramatic, and I don't feel it serves her.

Laura: I would never abandon my son!

Josef: I'm amazed that you can say that with a straight face. (Laura falters a bit. All right. Deep breath -- she isn't going to lose her grip)

Laura: Not now. Not after everything that I have already put him through.

Josef: It's too late, Laura. The buzzer has sounded. (He smiles slowly) You've taken the wrong path, I'm afraid. Your life can no longer be spared. (He starts towards her again. She is forced to back up, away from the door. Damnit... She glances over her shoulder. End of the terrace is coming up. She looks back at him, desperate)

Laura: You can't get away with this -- Stefan is going to crush you like a bug.

Josef: (with a low laugh) Your son was organizing a coup against his uncle -- he is sick of waiting for the appointed day of the end of his regency. He wants his power -- now -- and has decided to seize it. The men are aware of this, and they will follow any orders I give them to act against the count. Luke Spencer will not leave this island alive, and neither will Mikkos's bastard child. They are utterly expendable, and their blood will mark the end of the last embarrassing era of the Cassadine Dynasty.

Laura: Is there something in the AIR on this island that makes you all mad?

Josef: It's over. It's all over. Nikolas is with your and Spencer's son right now -- putting an end to that walking, talking representation of his mother's disrespect -- (Laura catches her breath)

Laura: Lucky!

Josef: He and Nikolas are with Helena -- you were right about that much. But what you don't understand could fill the Aegean to capacity. You don't understand the disrespect you've shown, you don't understand how you've damaged the Cassadine name, or emasculated your son by your callous treatment of him. And the simpering count, love-struck and weak by nature, has allowed Nikolas to flail too long in self-pity. All of that ends today. Either by Nikolas's hand... (Josef smiles and holds up the blade) Or by mine.

Laura: (stricken) What do you mean?

Josef: Nikolas will kill his brother today. He will be given undeniably proof of Lucky's guile and deceit, and he will handle it accordingly. And then... he shall truly be a man. A Prince.

Laura: And a Cassadine.

Josef: Precisely. (he smiles at her patronizingly) and if you can bring yourself to look on him... well, you were always welcome to stay if he wanted you. But now... Now you're just making a BIG mess... and all in a house where you are a guest. (Laura, still stunned at the depravity of what she's just been told, shakes her head).

Laura: And if you're wrong? What then? What if Nikolas kills Helena and brings his brother back here? Then what?

Josef: (without pause) I will kill him. Quickly. Cleanly.

Laura: You're a maniac.

Josef: I'm efficient. And frankly, I rather hope he DOES kill Helena. That would make my life worlds easier. And I'd rather enjoy taking care of Lucky when he returns. Either way, you can no longer be permitted to stick around to watch the show. (He advances. Laura backs up further, until her back hits the terrace. She opens her mouth and screams blue murder. Behind them she hears a sound -- definitive -- the door to the terrace slamming open. Josef, not expecting this, spins suddenly.)

Josef: LEAVE us -- (he stops dead, seeing the intruder -- Stefan Cassadine.)

The Chimera

Lucky's voice is light as he asked the question. Like a priest urging confession -- Tell me what you've seen, my child. His eyes stay on Nikolas's dead eyes, which look back at him impassively. Lucky's finished finding that upsetting. He's finished with all of it. Something in him has hardened to steel, and nothing is going shake him now. Helena, on the other hand, is another story, and he feels her glide from behind him, and move to his side, her lips pressed together in irritation.

Helena: You want him to explain your own treachery to you? (Lucky glances at her, as if she were an annoying fly distracting him from the task at hand)

Lucky: I want to know what I'm being accused of. (Helena waves a dismissive hand)

Helena: Nikolas, there is no reason to be bothered with this.

Lucky: (not looking at her) You're afraid your story won't hold water.

Helena: You're trying to delay. You're stalling. There is no reason to continue to put off the inevitable. (Lucky shrugs slightly)

Lucky: Do I look scared to you?

Nik: I want to see what he says, Grandmother.

Helena: Nikolas, darling... You're tired. I don't want you to have to live this nightmare again!

Nik: I have to. I have to see it. (Helena looks at Nikolas, grimly. His eyes move, slowly, from Lucky to her, and she replaces the expression with one of deep concern)

Helena: What you wish, my dear. Closure... is important. (she moves towards one of the large chairs, and sits down on it, draping herself over the leather. Lucky waits for Nikolas's eyes to make their meandering way back to him. Eventually, they do.)

Lucky: Who's Oliver?

Nik: You know.

Lucky: Humor me.

Nik: He wanted her killed.

Lucky: And you think I did it for him.

Nik: I know you did.

Lucky: You're going to have to explain that one to me, Nik.

Nik: I don't have to explain a thing to me.

Lucky: Maybe not... but you want to see the look on my face when you try, don't you? Don't you want to remember the look of complete lack of conscience so that you can hate me for the next sixty years of your life? Wouldn't want any nagging doubts to come back to haunt you tomorrow morning when that pretty little drug she's got you on wears off --

Nik: Stop talking.

Lucky: Then you're going to have to START talking.

Nik: I know what you did. I know why you did it. I know how you did it. And I know what you got for it.

Lucky: Great. I'd love to hear it. (he puts his arms out) Consider it a final request from a dying man, before Granny throws me off this floating circus. Give me your final summation, counselor Cassadine.

Nik: (unmoved) Oliver Taggliatti wanted her dead. For stealing from him.

Lucky: Can I make a guess? (Nikolas just looks at him) This is a mob-boss guy, right? 'Cause I'm so damned dangerous with my big-time mob-boss ties. A regular scourge of the underworld. Hannah was shot, Nikolas. She wasn't beaten to death with a laptop. (Nikolas has no reaction to Lucky's remark. He just stares at him, then speaks slowly -- methodically)

Nik: She was shot with your gun. (Lucky shakes his head)

Lucky: Can't prove that.

Nik: I don't have to. I know it.

Lucky: I'll give you that one. But you know you didn't fire it.

Nik: Why did you want me to wipe of the prints so badly, then?

Lucky: Who's prints were ON that gun, Nik?

Nik: (a bit sharp) Stop calling me that.

Lucky: I think I'll be calling you whatever the hell I want for the next ten minutes. Is that what I have? (he looks at Helena) What time do the guards come to haul me away? (Helena just smiles. Lucky doesn't like that)

Nik: (flat) It was your gun. You did it as your final tie to Jason. You did it to become important. And you did it to get back at me.

Lucky: That really makes sense to you.

Nik: (looking straight in his eyes) Yes. It does.

Lucky: You saw what kind of work I did for Jason.

Nik: Convenient, that.

Lucky: Nikolas --

Nik: Why was the money you "found"... Why was that under your name.

Lucky: Because someone was setting me up.

Nik: Do you know where that money is now? (Lucky stares at him. Sinking feeling) Do you know the number of the account?

Lucky: No one is supposed to be able to get that information. (Even as he says it he knows how useless that is. The Cassadines probably OWN a couple of Swiss banks. If that's legal. Hell, even if it isn't.)

Nik: No one pays that kind of money for computer work.

Lucky: No one pays that kind of money for a hit. You'd be surprised how cheap the price of a human life is.

Nik: No. No, I wouldn't. Not where you're concerned. The price of every life you've ever encountered... is nothing. You don't value anything. Not our mother, not me, not Emily -- not even your own life. So why would you care about Hannah? Why care about the woman... (his voice trails off. It's been nearly devoid of all emotion, but Lucky has the distinct feeling that could change on a dime. It has before)

Lucky: The woman you loved. The woman you LOVED, Nik. Remember? You do remember, don't you? Think about it. Hannah Hargreaves. You gotta remember it, Nik. You can stand there like a god damned statue and try not to say the words... You can go for months and act like it's not ripping you apart, but it's GOT to be. You have to reach for her when you sleep at night, you have to catch a smell that could be her perfume, you have to see someone out of the corner of your eyes, and SWEAR it's her... (Lucky sees Nikolas's hand close into a fist. Another sign of life. He's not sure why, but he's sure this is his friend -- his only way out. If he can just get the real Nikolas Cassadine to stand up, they will find a way out of this. He takes a step towards him, lowering his voice) Don't tell me, in all of this, you haven't been aching for just one second with her -- for something, just anything, to patch up a hole in gut the size of the grand canyon. (Helena stands up)

Helena: Nikolas.

Lucky: Tell me you wouldn't cut off your arm just for one brush of warm skin against you -- or to smell her hair again. Or hear her laugh. (He sees tears pooling in Nik's eyes. God, finally.... He's been waiting for SOME sign of grief since the night. Since he left Port Charles. he becomes aware of Helena crossing back to them)

Helena: Enough, Lucky.

Lucky: (taking a step back) I know that. Nikolas, I know all of that -- You really think I'm enough of a monster to know what you're going through and take her from you anyway? (Helena pushes Lucky back from Nikolas, and Lucky turns his eyes on her, infuriated)

Helena: Nikolas, you don't -- (Nikolas's head jerks up)

Nik: You took her. (At the words, Lucky looks back at Nikolas, in a wave of relief... until he sees that Nikolas is looking at him. He shakes his head slowly)

Lucky: No. (Helena steps back, a little surprised herself. Nikolas steps towards Lucky)

Nik: You TOOK her. YOU. (Lucky refuses to back up.)

Lucky: You know who did it. Tomorrow you're gonna wake up and that drug won't be playing tricks on your mind, and you're going to know that Hannah was my friend --

Nik: You HATED HER!

Lucky: I didn't hate her.

Nik: You hated her. You threatened her. You didn't care about her at all.

Lucky: (an explosion) NO, I JUST CARED ABOUT YOU MORE!!!! (Lucky stops. Whoa... did he just say that? Yes... and oddly enough, it didn't hurt. No time to consider it now -- he snaps back into the moment) JESUS, don't you get that? (he looks up at Nikolas, the truth of what he's saying evident on his face) She was a spy! She was working for Granny. And she was going to destroy you. It was in everything she did, it was in how God damned scared she was, it was in how HARD it was to get her to see what was happening... I could see it in her, Nik. She was going to bolt, or she was going to be killed, and she was going to rip you up from the inside. I knew that. I didn't want to know it, but I did. And everything I did from that moment on, Nik... It was about YOU and it was about EMILY.

Nik: You don't care.

Lucky: Keep telling yourself that. When the bodyguards have my blood on their hands and you didn't do a damn thing to stop it, you tell yourself that.

Nik: You're just trying to save yourself.

Lucky: Yeah. Yeah, I am. But I die, you die with me, Nik. You don't have the stomach for this. Not for any of it.

Nik: You have to be punished.

Lucky: (matter of fact) No.

Nik: (getting flustered) Yes.

Lucky: It's not going to add up. You can't make all the numbers fit into place. Why the hell would I stick with you if I had all this God Damned money, and a clean getaway?

Nik: Luke. You're here to do what he couldn't. You wanted to kill my Grandmother.

Lucky: Right. Luke who I pissed off because I didn't tell him what you were Stefan's son!

Nik: You didn't tell him because it gave you control. It put you in control, and gave you the chance to punish Laura for having me. For hiding me. (Lucky's expression falters)

Lucky: Stop it, Nik.

Nik: You used it to get me to believe you -- to trust you again. You manipulated everything I did, and then YOU came to me and told me to come and find Helena. You told me it was here. You told me she told you while she was dying.

Lucky: She DID.

Nik: You looks so scared when I walked in there... I thought it was for her. But it wasn't. You'd just been caught. (Lucky just stares at him. Christ! He shakes his head)

Lucky: Katherine. Katherine Bell (It's the only thing he can think of. Just keep throwing the sins at him)

Nik: (looking away) Stefan. She was going to expose me. He stopped it. (Lucky blinks. He looks at Helena.)

Lucky: What the hell was IN that stuff you gave him?

Nik: Nothing else makes sense, Lucky! For once in my life, someone is telling me the truth. Telling me what I really am. That's nothing a common thug like you could ever understand.

Lucky: Because you're a Prince, right?

Nik: Because I'm better than you! Because I was the son who deserved your life, and you are the bastard usurper.

Lucky: I'm not taking the bait this time, Nikolas. No way.

Nik: I've changed my mind, Lucky. I DO want you dead! I want you to burn in hell.

Lucky: I'll save you a seat.

Helena: Lucky! (She sweeps between them) Please, Nikolas. Is this not enough? What are you gaining by inflicting this behavior on yourself?

Nik: (looking over her shoulder at Lucky) Proof. Proof that you're right.

Helena: (Putting a hand to his face) Nikolas. It is all there. The Port Charles Police have a warrant for his arrest. He's guilty as sin. (Nikolas's eyes slowly glaze over again, and he looks almost surprised when they refocus to see his grandmother in front of him. Lucky watches this, feeling sick to his stomach. He's running out of options... he really is. Helena turns and looks at him)

Helena: Lucky... You have tired Nikolas to his limit. I'm afraid the time has come for you to leave. (She crosses to him. Nikolas seems to sway a bit on the spot, his eyes on the carpet in front of him. Lucky watches him. It takes him a moment to realize what he's feeling. Pity. Sharp and hard, in his chest. This can't happen -- If it does, Nikolas won't make it out the week. Helena walks over to the desk behind Lucky, and opens a drawer. Lucky doesn't turn to investigate. She comes back around the desk, and stops behind him) I want you to know, before you go... That Emily will be well cared for. (Lucky blinks. God Damnit... )

Lucky: She won't care.

Helena: She'll forget you.

Lucky: Never.

Helena: (gently) Tell yourself whatever you want, Lucky. One thing is for certain. Whatever happens here today, tomorrow we all make our ways to live with it. You'll be amazed at what the human mind can justify when given no other choice. (Lucky blinks again. Nikolas looks up at him. His eyes are blank again.)

Lucky: We all have our breaking point. But you'd be amazed at the stuff those of us with a soul can't live with. (Helena laughs softly)

Helena: Such a hero. (She moves past Lucky and over to Nikolas. She then turns and holds out something in her hand, for Lucky to see. She smiles and he finds himself staring at his missing gun. Lucky lets out his breath, and along with it, a hell of an understatement)

Lucky: Oh... no.

Landing Pad.

Standing behind the entrance way to the lower deck, the two armed men Ari left on board flank each side of the door. They don't speak, don't move, not wanting to give away their numbers. Ari has a mat of the men on the boat -- six of them, returning to the island, to take care of the Count and his entourage. It's jumping the gun, not planned, but then, neither was this. Sergei swallows hard, and glances at his brother, Dominick. They should not be the last line of defense. On the other hand, this is one hell of an opportunity. Years of feuding, and one of them is going to be the man to kill Luke Spencer.

There is a noise, and Sergei motions for his brother to stay put. He takes a breath, and comes around the corner, firing off three shots blindly. There is a cry and a figure just slips out of the helicopter, landing like a bag of wet cement on the landing pad. Sergei blinks. He looks at his brother, then steps out into the light.

Luke Spencer lies on his back, arm flung out, gun loose in his hand. Sergei moves forward, eyes fixed on the weapon. He reaches down to take it, and hears an ominous click right by his ear.

Alexis: Freeze. (Sergei does so, his hands hovering over Luke's gun.) Drop your weapon. (There is a moment's hesitation, then the weapon drops. Alexis reaches down and picks it up with a nervous, but quick, hand. Just as she straightens up, Dominick steps out of the shadows, his gun trained on her back)

Dom: Stop! (Sergei lets himself smile as he heard a curse under Alexis's breath. The smile fades as the limp hand inches from his face suddenly tightens around the gun. He starts and feels Alexis's hand grip his shoulder, the gun barrel of her gun nestling in at the base of his skull. She yanks him up, and Luke sits up, gun aimed at a startled Dominick, who's aim strays from Alexis to the reanimated Spencer)

Luke: Bingo! (Dominick blinks, then looks at Alexis)

Sergei: (swallowing hard) Shoot him.

Alexis: I don't recommend that... (She narrows her eyes) Dominick, isn't it? (She nods to her captive) Then this must be Sergei. I've complied dossiers on both of you personally -- I expected you to be taller. (she cocks the hammer on the gun she has to Sergei's head, and he jumps in fear. She lifts Sergei's gun up and points it to Dominick.) You shoot anyone, your brother is going to die. And either Luke or I will shoot you cold. You can only take one of us out, Dom. AT the expense of your life. And then it won't matter which team you were playing for -- even if Helena emerges from this as the winner. Which, I assure you, she won't.

Sergei: (without much conviction, but a good show) SHOOT him! (Dom looks at his brother, then to Luke, go winks at him. The man's complete lack of fear is unnerving. He looks back at the woman.

Dom: Who are you? (Alexis raises her eyebrows)

Alexis: (to Luke) Should I be insulted?

Luke: Very.

Alexis: (back to Dom) I have more names than I can count, but today I'm Natasha Mikkosula Cassadine. Mean anything to you?

Sergei: The bastard daughter.

Alexis: Guilty. Of course, I'm also the chief council of Cassadine Enterprises International, The sister of the count, the Aunt of the Prince, and the sworn protector of all of above. (she takes a breath) A job I take very, very seriously. (She feels Sergei tremble under her hand. It's far more satisfying than she'd like to admit.) Your only chance to live is to do everything I say. (she pauses) Do it well, and you might even get out of this in one piece. (She looks at Luke and gives a slight smile) Say "Thank-you, Natasha". (there is a strange and awkward pause as the brothers look at each other. Luke starts to hum the Jeopardy Theme. Finally Dominick, thoroughly unnerved, looks back at her)

Dom: I thank you... Natasha. (Sergei swears violently at his brother in Russian. Luke laughs)

Luke: (shaking his head) Now you're just showing off.

Alexis: I have it coming, don't you think? (Luke manages a smirk. Sergei gives a long suffering sigh)

Sergei: What will you have us do?

Luke: (looking over at him) What do you think, Sergei? Take us to your leader.

The Terrace, Cassadine Compound

Stefan steps out onto the terrace, pushing Mariah away from him and back into the house. This... looks like it's going to be messy.

Stefan: Josef! (Josef laughs)

Josef: And another one bites the dust. (he bares his teeth at Stefan) The melancholy count. I was rather hoping you'd come to play hero.

Stefan: The guards --

Josef: Answer to me. Definitively. Your nephew was rather adamant that you be left out of all business here upon his return. I'm afraid you are being displaced.

Stefan: Nonetheless, on behalf of the prince, I must insist you stop waving this knife about in such close proximity

Laura: (rather dry) He's aiming to kill me, Stefan.

Stefan: Yes, it appears that way.

Laura: He's aiming to kill MOST of us, I believe.

Stefan: You are working for my mother.

Josef: In a manner of speaking. Not that it matters. (he gestures with the knife) I suggest you back up.

Stefan: No.

Josef: She dies if you don't. (Stefan hesitates. Laura suddenly pushes herself off the wall and into Josef with all her might. Josef stumbles forward and Stefan springs into action, kicking the knife expertly out of the assailants hand and sending it careening over the edge of the terrace. This throws Josef slightly, and he turns to watch it fall. Stefan kicks again, expertly, landing a thrust in the center of Josef's chest. He stumbles back. Laura scrambles away from the edge, when she feels his hand reach out and grab her. She turns and throws her weight at him in desperation. It happens so quickly, she can't quite figure out how... They tumble and she realizes she's made a terrible mistake. She hears Stefan's shout just as the momentum of her blow pulls her and Josef over the edge of the terrace. Laura lets out a scream and grabs the edge of the terrace as she's pulled over. She grabs the far side of the barrier, her chest and upper body still on the barrier, legs dangling over the side. The force of Josef's weight jerks her, though, and she's pulled back, as she sees Stefan moving to her in horror, and her hands just manage to grip the edge of the barrier as Stefan reaches her and grabs her hands in hers. She stops and looks up at him. Ohhhhh dear God... )

Stefan: Laura! (Laura looks down. Josef is dangling below her, his arms wrapped around her legs. He looks up at her, his expression feral. She feels a strong hand move wrap around her calf, and the other one move up to grab her thigh. He's going to climb her... He's going to either pull her to her death, or use her to save himself, and then push her down... and he can't live. If he lives, he kills Lucky -- He kills Luke. And he ruins Nikolas. She looks up. Stefan's hand just in front of her.)

Laura: No....

Stefan: Laura, you can't.

Laura: I... (Her hand slips a little from the edge, and she feels Stefan's hands grab her wrists, holding her. She feels stretched, pulled between the two men, like she's going to be ripped in half. She struggles to hold on. Josef moves again, with incredible strength, moving his hand up to grab her waist.

Laura: (breathless) Knock... him. (Stefan)

Stefan: I can't --

Laura: Let go of me. (Stefan hesitates. She kicks her legs back and Josef's grip slips a little. Her hands slide a bit. Stefan wretches her up with all his strength. Josef grabs on to a spindly tree branch, and she feels his weight move shift -- he's moving it. She lets out a breath. He's figured out that he can't sacrifice me without sacrificing himself. Laura looks up at Stefan, panting)

Laura: I can't with him on me! (she looks up at him pleadingly.) I'll hold on, go get something. (Stefan looks at her warily. She's right. He can't pull both of them up -- no man would have the strength. He lets go of her hands carefully. She grips the wall, and digs her one free foot into the rock. She smiles slightly) I can do this. (Stefan backs away. He turns, just walking a few steps to grab a wrought iron chair. He'll toss it at the villain's head. On the cliff edge, Laura looks down. The hill is step -- a cliff, really. She looks down and sees that Josef is managing to wrench something out of his belt. She watches, her eyes widening, as she realizes he has a gun. He looks at her, and smiles. She feels him tighten his grip on her one leg, still holding on to the tree. He can't save himself without using her, and if Stefan comes back, he'll shoot him unguarded. And then he'll kill her sons. Her husband.... All of them. She could yell... but the wind will take her voice out to sea. She looks back up. There is a way out. There is one way. Laura looks up to the sky).

Laura: Please God... Let them live through this. (Laura closes her eyes, then lets go with both hands and lets herself fall).

The Chimera

Lucky stares at the gun in Helena's hand. Well, so much for swimming to safety... fire arms he wasn't expecting. Blood he wasn't expecting... Losing he wasn't expecting...

Helena: Do you recognize it? (Lucky closes his eyes. Why does he want to laugh? Because this is too perfect. That's it. He was going to have to find some other line of defense. Apparently the Gods were telling him guns were not something he could hang onto. This is the THIRD gun to get into Cassadine hands. His father would love this. He feels Helena come up behind him. She leans against his back and purrs to him, her lips right by his ear.)

Helena: It would seem you made a few mistakes, Lucky.

Lucky: (clenching his hand) No, I didn't.

Helena: Then how did you end up here? Skill?

Lucky: (looking at Nikolas, speaking to Helena) You're going to die.

Helena: How? (Lucky says nothing) I am not what you should fear, Lucky. I am not the one you have wronged. (She pulls away from him, brushing against him as she crosses to Nikolas. Nikolas's eyes follow her, and she reaches out, taking his hand in hers, and pressing the gun into it. Nikolas looks down at the gun in his hand, his expression otherworldly. Jesus, Lucky things. He's knows that look. Nikolas isn't really here. He's armed, and completely dissociated. Anything can happen now. Anything. He watches as Nikolas tests the weight of the weapon in his hand. He looks up).

Nik: Didn't you wonder where the gun had gone?

Lucky: (a breathy laugh) You bastard.

Nik: (frowning) I don't like having armed Spencers on my "turf".

Lucky: Do you like talking like them? Looks like you can't undo the damage, Nikky. I've corrupted you for good. (Nikolas just looks at him, glassily, then looks down at the gun)

Lucky: You're not serious. (he looks at Helena.) You're going to make HIM do this.

Nik: (distant) No one is making me, Lucky...

Helena: I believe he WANTS to, Lucky. (Lucky tries to have a reaction to this. He looks down at his own hands. Steady as a rock. Strange... he really should be feeling just a little nervous here, shouldn't he? He looks up and see Nikolas looking at him. He takes a breath. Ok... last ditch attempt)

Lucky: Mom.

Nik: Never loved me.

Lucky: Lulu.

Nik: We'll have her. Luke will be taken care of, and Laura won't put up a fight for her child -- she never does.

Lucky: Ok. Then what about you, Nik? (he hears Helena laugh. She comes up behind Lucky again, and leans her head against his shoulder)

Helena: I believe this is the entire point, Lucky. You stole his life from him -- from cradle... to the grave, so to speak. His mother, his childhood, his right to know who his father was.... And then, as you so eloquently put it, the woman of his dreams. She stands up, moving only a half step from Lucky, and smiling at Nikolas.) He knows what you are, Lucky.

Lucky: And what is that? (Nikolas cocks his head slightly)

Nik: You're nothing, Lucky. (he looks at him directly) You're a fly on the no-pest-strip of life. And no one is going to notice when you're gone.

Lucky: You will. (there is a strange look in Nikolas's eyes. He takes the gun in his hand more firmly.)

Nik: Not for the reasons you think. (Lucky stares at him. Huh. And still -- no real feeling. Strange... isn't his life supposed to flash before his eyes? Not if he's not really going to die. And he's not -- there is no way. He's just not going to die here)

Lucky: She's done something to you.

Nik: She told me the truth.

Lucky: You'll regret it. (he smiles slightly -- like he's sharing a joke with him) You know I'm the family expert on that one.

Nik: You're not my family.

Lucky: I'm your brother. Cosmic joke, maybe -- but you don't have another one.

Nik: You're just trying to save yourself.

Lucky: (very calm) You know me better than this. You know you do.

Nik: (laughing slightly) Like you know me? (He lifts it and points it straight at Lucky's heart. Lucky feels Helena's hand grip his shoulder, supposedly holding him in place. This is not happening, he tells himself. Nikolas is NOT going to do this. Either it's all a bad dream, or... well... Hey, it's not such a bad end to a story like his, is it?)

Lucky: Nikolas... Sad as it might be, I'm the best friend you've ever had.

Nik: I don't have any friends. (He takes a breath) You didn't think I could shoot anyone, Lucky. (He cocks the gun. Lucky's eyes close) You were wrong. (Nikolas fires).