Chapter Two Hundred Fifteen:
Reverberation

Emily's room

Emily pulls her hand gently from Luke's and looks down at her hand. She smiles ruefully, turning the ring on her finger.

Em: Oh. Right. That.

Luke: Kinda catches the eyes, Darlin'.

Em: (letting our her breath) No one else has mentioned it. (Emily looks over at him) But then, I guess you're the one here with the most vested interest. (Luke just gives her a smile) It was for the island. Lucky bought it at a pawnshop in Athens so that the servants would treat me like his wife instead of his mistress.

Luke: It's a prop.

Em: Yeah. (Emily nods slowly. Kinda a prop... Kinda something else. But it didn't even occur to her to ask Lucky about that marriage proposal. It felt a little unreal now. She hadn't really said she'd MARRY him, had she? She fights against an urge to smile. Man, her life wasn't getting any less crazy) Don't worry, Luke. We didn't do anything that insane.

Luke: No grandchildren on the way, then. (Emily blinks, then looks up at him. She gives a short, sharp laugh)

Em: Whoa... Wow. No. (The word is out of Emily's mouth before she realizes it could be a lie. Huh. Reality. She really hasn't been very responsible. That said, she was barely making it in this body on her own, she found it hard to believe that anyone else was going to be attempting to set up shop there. The expression on her face isn't the most unreadable one, and Luke narrows his eyes.)

Luke: You sure about that, Emily?

Em: (shaking her head) Luke, I -- (She looks at him, then throws her hand up) Ok. Do you want my top ten list of conversions I don't want to have with my boyfriend's father? I think this is RIGHT up there.

Luke: Just makin' sure I know what I'm dealin' with, Emily. Nothing more.

Em: I know. I wouldn't exactly expect you to throw some great hairy fit... Not about that.

Luke: You just let me know if there's anything I can do for you. That's it. (Emily nods, smiling slightly)

Em: My parents are going to kill me as it is, without coming home pregnant. (She looks over at Luke, her brown knit) Did you really come here to talk to me about them?

Luke: I need to know if you call them. That's all. When you call is up to you.

Em: Do you know if Jason said anything to them?

Luke: He went to Monica when you left. He told her to keep it to herself --

Em: We saw Grandfather on the news.

Luke: Ah. So you know how that turned out.

Em: (laughing slightly) Yeah. Yeah, we were in a laundromat in Canada. It was a little... nerve-wracking.

Luke: (smiling a little) I can see that.

Em: So... does that mean Jason didn't say anything this time?

Luke: Yeah. He didn't want to end up with an international incident on his hands.

Em: Good call.

Luke: I wasn't gonna say it.

Em: Well. My family is... challenging. That's not exactly a well-kept secret.

Luke: They love you a lot, Little Girl.

Em: I know. (She sighs) They're my family. That doesn't really change. (She frowns, looking down at her hand. A wave of sadness washes over her, abating almost as quickly as she arrive. She shakes herself, and looks up at Luke, her eyes wider than they were a moment earlier). How is Laura? (Luke takes in a breath, slowly. He sits up a little.)

Luke: (finally) We don't know. It gonna be rough, that's all they can promise us. (Emily nods, her brow knit.)

Em: I hope she'll... I hope she pulls through.

Luke: (nodding) Thank you, Emily. I know you do. (Emily looks over at Luke. He is looking at her very calmly. He looks open, approachable. Luke Spencer, Rock of Gibraltar. It's something Emily's always found strange about the man. She knows that he's 'dangerous'. She knows he's killed people. But whatever it is in him that can do that, she's never seen it manifest. He's almost always like this with her. Subdued. Polite. Sometimes teasing. But always upfront. She smiles fondly at him)

Em: Are you being like this with Lucky? (That startles Luke a bit)

Luke: Like what? (Emily shakes her head, coming out of her reverie). Em: (a bit surprised at herself) Sorry -- that was direct of me. (Luke shakes it off)

Luke: No. No, you've put in a hell of a lot of time in Spencer Lands, Sweetheart. You've earned it. (Emily looks at him, studying his expression. She chooses her next words carefully)

Em: You're just... You have very good bedside manner. You're a lot easier to talk to than most people I can think of right now.

Luke: (drawing the obvious conclusion) But I'm not easy for Lucky to talk to. (Emily looks away, uncomfortable. She begins to play with her blanket edge)

Em: I don't really know what to say... About that. I'm sort of stuck right in the middle.

Luke: To be fair, Darlin', I think you're standing pretty firmly on Lucky's side of this.

Em: (letting out her breath) Ok. I am.

Luke: Good. He needs someone. It helps to know he's got someone.

Em: Well. (she looks over at him) He has you -- doesn't he?

Luke: (shaking his head) Doesn't want me.

Em: (quickly) Or he just wants you so much he can't stand it. (Emily winces. Luke looks up at her, his eyes moist. Emily swallows down a lump in her throat. She can't believe she's saying this) Look -- I haven't said anything like this to Lucky... but my Father's dead, you know? So... uh... I know it leaves a... (she gestures over her stomach with one hand) A hole. Even when you can't remember who he is.

Luke: (knowingly) Leaves a hole even when he's an asshole. (Emily bites her lip, and nods)

Em: Yeah. (Luke smiles bitterly)

Luke: Funny... (he looks away, exhaling) Lucky ever tell you about his grandfather, Emily? (Emily shakes her head)

Em: Only that he doesn't have one. That... That he wasn't a good father. He didn't feel like he was missing anything if the guy wasn't someone you wanted around. (Luke nods, not saying anything. That does sound like something Lucky would say. His son, Lucky. The one he knew. The one that had never questioned him. Emily watches Luke, her stomach tied into a firm knot, and her mouth dry. She knows this is dangerous territory. Yet. Her she is, walking as if there aren't any hidden land mines) Can I ask you something?

Luke: Anything.

Em: (in a rush) Why did you leave? Why'd you just walk out that night?

Luke: (bowing his head) I don't know how this looks through your eyes, Emily. I can only tell you what it's been like through mine.

Em: I'd... I'd really like to hear that. Because through mine, it's been pretty awful.

Luke: (looking up at her) You knew, huh? About... (Luke pauses, before picking his word) Nikolas.

Em: (after a moment) Yeah. Yeah, I did.

Luke: And that's what you meant that day at your parent's house -- when you said he had to tell me himself. (Emily nods) So the working for Jason --

Em: That was just... (she shrugs uncomfortably) That was just like everything else.

Luke: (frowning) What's everything else? (Emily meets his eyes)

Em: You know. (Luke sits back slowly, his eyes on Emily's.)

Luke: (Softly) I'd like to hear what you have to say to me, Emily. I can tell there's something. It's right there in your eyes. (There's something in the air now -- a sort of tension -- but not one that gives Emily any feeling of danger. It's more... anticipation. Heavy, thick... but not hazardous. He hands clench handfuls of blanket)

Em: Remember how Lucky and I broke up? (her voice sounds very thin)

Luke: Yes. That was hard to miss.

Em: Did he ever tell you why?

Luke: Yeah. Yeah, he did.

Em: That's just a really extreme example of... stuff he'd do. Like frame my brother... or work for Jason. Or not tell me the whole truth about Hannah... he'd keep secrets. And some of them I understood, but some of them... it was, like... (She stops, struggling) He'd do it just because he could. For the last year, things with Lucky have been really, really hard, because... (she swallows) I don't know how to tell you this. (Emily looks up at him) Luke... I have always thought you were great--

Luke: But.

Em: (spitting it out) Lucky can be hell to be around sometimes. He really can be. And you said it yourself -- you don't recognize him sometimes. Well... (She laughs sharply) Welcome to my world -- because I know he can be awful, I know just how mean and cutting he can get. I've seen it. And I DO recognize it. (her voice cracks) It's becoming a part of him, and until this is over, he's not going to let go of it. Lucky... (she shakes her head hard) makes things hard. He puts himself into these situations over and over again where he tries to PROVE to you that he's not worth it. He's cold, and vicious and he says or does things that are really scary. Because he's goading you -- Luke, it's taken me almost a year to let go of what happened between us when Carly... (she lets out her breath shakily. Luke reaches out and takes her hand, squeezing it. She squeezes back and lets herself take a few breaths)

Luke: I need to hear this, sweetheart. I think I really need to hear this.

Em: I don't want to ...

Luke: You're not betraying him. You're not.

Em: (pulling her breath in) Maybe I don't care anymore. (She looks down at their hands) Maybe all I care about is him not hating himself anymore.

Luke: I think it's me he hates, sweetheart. (Emily shakes her head, swallowing hard)

Em: No.

Luke: Look -- you can say that, but he has a lot of anger --

Em: (Blurting it out) It's a test. (Luke blinks. He leans forward, trying to catch Emily's eye. She won't let him)

Luke: What's he testing?

Em: You. (she wipes her eyes with the back of her hand) He wants to prove that whatever you get from him, he's not worth it. That how fun, and smart, and sweet, and brave he can be won't add up to what he really thinks he is.

Luke: What does he think he is? (Emily twists her ring around her finger. She looks up, finally, straight into Luke's anxious gaze)

Em: A traitor.

Nikolas's room.

Lucky sits in the chair beside Nikolas's bed with his chin in resting on his hands, which are folded on the chair back. He's been staring at him for a good ten minutes. Wasting time. Stefan's not known for a great deal of tolerance where Lucky's concerned, and he knows that his time is limited. But he can't seem to say anything. It's hard. It's really hard to make anything come out of his mouth. He knows -- he KNOWS there are things he should say, but he can't make the word... Doesn't even want to make the thoughts. He's not used to feeling like this. Having an instinct and being unable to follow it through. It feels choked by it. Lucky sits back, gripping the chair back with his hands, and arching his back. He drops his head back, eyes closed, and stretches, then sits forward again, letting his breath out. Ok. Ok -- he can do this. He looks at Nikolas, and speaks to him, softly. His voice is loud enough that Nikolas can, supposedly, hear it -- but no one as far as the door could make out any distinct words or phrases.

Lucky: We had a deal, Nikolas. (Lucky casts his eyes towards the door. It appears clear, no shadows being cast on the tile in front of the open door. He looks back at Nikolas.) We go through this together. So... whatever psychological episode you might be thinking of starting right now -- you're gonna have to hold off. Because... I feel like I'm in enemy territory here, and I don't know how much longer I'm going to be able to get away with just giving name, rank and serial number. (Lucky lets out a long breath, laughing slightly) I figure I've got maybe eight more hours grace period before people start asking questions I don't really want to answer. And it's hard to get our stories straight when you're not coming to the party like this. (Lucky looks back at Nikolas. Nothing. He groans) Yeah, Ok. So it's not all that enticing. I could argue that you owe me one, Cassadine. (He stops. This isn't going to work. He's wimping out, completely. Why did this seem like a good idea? He can't remember now. Right now, leaving -- that seems like a good idea. But. But that's not how he handles things. And besides... This is the one place in the hospital that he knows is safe from his father) Ok, Ok. I'm not keeping score. That's not why I'm here. (Lucky sits back. He can almost hear his brother's voice in his head -- "they why ARE you here, Lucky?". God, he was pushy about stuff like this. Always wanting Lucky to lay some big truth on him, always trying to define everything. It got on his nerves. More than that, he found it threatening. And if Nik was awake, he knows they'd be fighting. He'd be totally pissed at Lucky for leaping around the heart of the issue. But what the hell is he supposed to say? He knows that there are things Nik probably wants to hear... but he can't find a way to muddle through them. Things keep getting in the way -- thins he doesn't want to admit, doesn't want to deal with. Things he doesn't want to say out loud and make real. He shakes his head) Look. I don't know... what you know, what you're avoiding... But I know (Lucky's voice cracks. He clears his throat hard, and looks away from the floor, towards the wall. He stares at it hard. Like he's trying to see right through it. When he speaks again his voice is even lower, barely audible if you were standing right there) That's bullshit, right? I know what's going on here... (He shakes his head hard, and looks back in Nikolas's direction, without actually looking at his brother) At least I know more than your father does, huh? First of all -- I know exactly how much you probably want him hovering over you right now. Just itching to wake up and have that big talk, huh? (Lucky laughs slightly, but it's without humor. His eyes focus on the line where one wall meets another. He speaks slowly) And... I know... (Lucky swallows. His mouth really does feel dry.) I know... that you... Don't want to go back to Port Charles. (He blinks. Hard.) And see places you remember Hannah being... See places where you saw her alive, and... Know that the games really up on that one. I know you don't want that to be real. (Lucky glances back at Nikolas, quickly, then turns his gaze back to the floor) And I know you don't want to think about what you saw in that room, back on the Chimera. And you probably don't really want to talk to me about any of this, either. (Lucky exhales. He raises his eyes and manages to look directly at Nikolas). But... You gotta, man. You have to wake up and face it. (Lucky lets out a groan, and runs a hand through his hair. He shakes his head, then leans forward, resting his chest on the chair back and propping his elbows on his knees) Getting... Getting free from Helena was only part of it, Nik. We both know that. (Nik's eyes twitch -- like a blink without opening his eyes. Lucky sits up. Whoa... Ok. Ok, he's getting somewhere. Or... you know, the guy just has reflexes. Lucky puts that thought out of his head, and moves his arms up onto the chair back.) Nik. Are you listening to me? You can get free from something, but you're not really free until you're out from under it. And if that's where you are right now! You're not winning. You're not winning until you're back here and you're figuring out what to do with the rest of your life. (Lucky laughs slightly. Ok -- that actually made some kind of sense) I know you get what was going on here, Nik. Better than your Dad is going to -- Way better than mine is. Because we weren't on a mission of vengeance. We were stopping her from doing this again. You did save someone's life in there. I'm not talking about yours. (he pulls in a deep breath) And I'm sure as hell not talking mine. I'm talking about people we haven't even met yet. Anyone -- anyone you decide to care about for the rest of your life... We did it (Lucky pauses, realizing what he just said. He smiles, just slightly) We did it. (he looks over at Nikolas) You realize that? We actually did it, Nik. (Nothing from the figure in the bed. Lucky feels his chest tighten. Damnit...) Are you getting this? The feud dies with us. It's already happened. Will you just open up your eyes and take that in for a second? You're taking on a Brave New World here, Nikolas. Maybe it won't look all bright and shiny, but... One day, if enough time goes by... Maybe it'll feel worth it. (Lucky feels sharp tears spike his eyes and blinks hard, jerking a bit in his chair. He swears under his breath, unprepared for the sudden attack of emotion) Ok. Ok -- that's my piece. That's what I had to say, so... it's time to WAKE up, Nikolas! It's time. You don't get to leave me to do this part alone -- we shook on it. No one else dies -- that includes whatever you're doing right now. Got it? (He looks at his brother intently, as if he's just said the magic words, and waiting for the spell to work. Nothing happens. Nothing) DAMNIT, NIK! (Lucky stands up, pushing his chair aside) You never cut me any slack, do you? (he turns from the bed, pacing the space) This is just like you. This is just like whatever the hell that was you pulled back on the island. You just go off and do your own thing, and you stick me with putting the pieces together. (He looks over at Nikolas, seething) Ok -- forget all the warm fuzzies. I'm done with that -- and you missed it. You stubborn... (Lucky growls in frustration and turns away from him. He paces to the window, and looks out. Athens. Busy city, cars darting everywhere, people moving along the streets, going about actual LIVES. He lets his head rest against the window, and speaks very softly) Look. I'm stuck in a hospital I can't leave because my only other choice is a hotel with a whole bunch of people who... weren't there. Carly, and Grandma, and... Even Lu. They're going to want me to be... I don't know. Something. Whatever my Dad keeps trying to get me to be. I can't DO that right now. You and Emily... That's all I can take right now. (He lets out a long breath, and turns. He looks at Nikolas petulantly, leaning against the wall) You want me to say it? Is that what you're waiting for? (He nearly spits out the words) I need you to wake up, Nik. Ok? Happy now? (He waits. Nothing. Lucky puts his head back, feeling his throat close up, his whole body humming with the pent up energy that's brought with frustration) I need you to wake up... (he closes his eyes and speaks very carefully) I can't do the rest of this alone.

A Hallway in the ICU, Athens Private Hospital.

Stefan stands rigidly at the door of Laura's room, watching the spectacle of her breath. So much effort for such a little task. He holds his hands behind his back, his expression grim. He hadn't meant to come here. To be honest, he had started out just moving slightly down the hall, hoping to locate Alexis quickly, so that he could check in with her, and then return to Nikolas and eject Lucky Spencer from the room. Lucky, who did not seem to be speaking to Nikolas, from what Stefan could hear in the hall. Granted, he also didn't seem to be cutting the heads off any chickens, or performing any ritual that would cause Nikolas more stress. That was something.

So he had taken a few steps away, and somehow, he'd kept moving. Down the halls, around corners, and down a flight of stairs, never letting himself actually decide to come where he was now standing.

She was alone. The doctors had run as many tests as they could for the time being. Specialist were being brought in, though Spencer would have to be talked into them once they arrived. He'd leave that to Alexis. She was disturbingly successful with him at the moment. Something Stefan was opting not to examine too closely.

Laura looks... Quite like a woman who has fallen off a cliff. There is frightening and disfiguring swelling about her head and face, rendering her close to unrecognizable. Her eyes are both a deep black, bruised on impact. There are cleaned scrapes and cuts all over her arms, face -- even her neck. Friction burn, from the parts of the cliff that she had slid down. It was the fact that she colliding with the rock face so high up that had saved her life. That and the ultimate "good" luck of not falling into the Sea, like Josef had done. That was what had saved her life. That was also what had crushed the ruptured her spine. Little mercies.

Alexis: Stefan. (It takes a long moment for Stefan to absorb the fact that someone has just said his name. He pulls in his breath, then turns away from the disturbing sight in front of him, to look at his sister)

Stefan: I was looking for you.

Alexis: I'd gone to get coffee. Katija's at the hotel. With Lesley.

Stefan: Lesley. I haven't --

Alexis: I think she went to great lengths not to see you. She seems to have a deep mistrust -- bordering on fear -- where our family is concerned.

Stefan: Ah.

Alexis: (dryly) Can't IMAGINE how she developed that. (Stefan says nothing) Regardless of that, she and Katija are bonding pretty quickly. (Alexis frowns) have you been to the hotel? At all?

Stefan: The opportunity has yet to present itself.

Alexis: That opportunity being Nikolas waking?

Stefan: I want to be here. Until that time, I need to be where he needs me to be. (Alexis nods, slightly. No comment, she decides)

Alexis: Well. It's definitely an odd sight. Bobbie's daughter and Laura's mother sharing quarters with Emily's mobster brother -- and a couple of kids. I was there this morning to shower, I felt like I was trapped in a particularly bad sitcom. (Stefan looks at her oddly) You should try television. Just once. For the references. (she cocks her head to one side) You might actually enjoy PBS.

Stefan: Somehow, my life does not leave much time for that.

Alexis: (dropping the lighthearted approach) Why are you here, Stefan? (Alexis nods towards Laura) Luke will have a fit if he sees you.

Stefan: (bitterly) Luke hasn't made many appearances here, from what I gather.

Alexis: He's handling this in his own way. Please don't get into a measuring contest with him.

Stefan: I had absolutely no plans to go down that particular road, Alexis.

Alexis: (sighing) I know... I know. I'm just -- I'm at my limit. Give or take another disaster. (she takes his hand) Walk with me. (Stefan looks back over at Laura)

Stefan: Do you think she feels alone?

Alexis: I imagine, with the room overflowing with guests, she would still be very much alone. But then, I've never been in a coma. (Stefan nods) Her mother is coming. That's why Katija went back to the hotel. (she squeezes his hand) Come walk with me. (Stefan turns back to her, looking suddenly very tired and very old. Alexis looks at him sadly, then reaches up and hugs him. After a long moment, Stefan places on hand lightly on the small of her back, returning the gesture. Alexis pulls back, and leads Stefan out of the room, and down the hall a few steps) To Nikolas's room? (Stefan sighs)

Stefan: Lucky is with Nikolas. (Alexis stops dead)

Alexis: Excuse me? (she narrows her eyes) Am I hearing things? I thought I just heard you said that Lucky was with Nikolas.

Stefan: Indeed.

Alexis: All right. (She drops his hand) Who are you, and what did you do with my brother?

Stefan: You question my choice?

Alexis: No... No, I actually wanted to talk to you about Lucky -- but I am surprised by your choice.

Stefan: The boy made a compelling argument.

Alexis: Was it blackmail or and an offer of disclosure?

Stefan: A little of each. A veritable Spencer Treachery Cocktail. (Alexis shivers slightly)

Alexis: He's a spooky kid. If that's the word... (she frowns) But...

Stefan: But?

Alexis: (looking up at him) He's attacking Luke every chance he gets. And... Well, he was almost nice to me. I don't know exactly what has happened to him, but chances are... he's the only person who's really going to understand what happened to Nikolas.

Stefan: As he most likely perpetrated it? Yes, I would say so.

Alexis: Stefan... We don't know what happened. (Stefan gives her a look) Ok -- so we can give an educated guess... But I'm an attorney, remember? It's my job to look at the facts and find new and exciting ways to interpret them... and I'm just saying -- right now? No jury in the world would convict Lucky of much more than sullying Emily Quartermaine's virtue. And even that's reliant on circumstantial evidence.

Stefan: He's been charged with murder, Alexis.

Alexis: Yeah, well. At this point, no one can serious think he's responsible for that. (Stefan looks away. He has to admit she's right) And... All I know is that when Luke and I got to the boat, Lucky only seemed to care about two things... Emily's safety, and Nikolas's state of mind.

Stefan: (Looking back at her) What are you saying, Alexis?

Alexis: I'm saying... This has done something to them. This whole trip, whatever it was they decided to do... They've been bonded somehow. They... They were acting like... (she frowns) I don't even know what the word is. I just know that I felt, distinctly, like I had walked into the middle of something that no one intended for me to understand.

Stefan: I can't believe that associating with Lucky Spencer is, in any way, good for Nikolas.

Alexis: Then why did you let Lucky see him? Why did you leave him alone with Nikolas? (Stefan makes a face)

Stefan: (heavily) I believe... I believe that perhaps that is what Nikolas may have wanted. (Alexis looks at him intently. A small smile appears on her lips)

Alexis: So you see it too.

Stefan: I see... (he lets out his breath) I see a difficult situation. And until I espy how to govern it, I do not plan to torch any bridges, no matter how temperamental they might be. Nikolas is of the utmost importance, always.

Alexis: You are the ultimate pragmatist. (she smiles) It's nice to know some things never change.

Nikolas's room

There is a sound of... tapping? Jangling, maybe. Something. Noise. Repetitive and irritating. It's bringing Nikolas, slowly, out of the place he's been. He's been aware for quite some time that he can wake up. He's known that he was lying in this bed and hearing the noises around him -- like echoes. Like remnants of dreams... and all he's felt moved to do is stay here. Stay here where it's quiet. And warm. And safe.

But now... Now he's moving. Almost against his will, floating up. To that noise. His hand twitches, wanting to reach out and grab whatever it is that is making that infernal tapping noise and stop it. No. No, he tells himself. Go back. Don't move. Don't move -- eyes twitch -- Damnit, no! Don't go. You don't want to go there, nothing good will come of it. Stay here. It's quiet, and nothing moves here. No one asks any questions. No one tells lies. No one opens their mouth to have blood pour down their chin. It's just quiet here.

Except for that TAPPING!

Lucky doesn't know why he's not surprised when Nikolas's eyes open. But he isn't. He's just aware of Nikolas staring at him. He stares back. For a long time, he just stares back. He stops playing with the pen he's been flipping around his fingers, and drumming on the chair back with.

Nik: (hoarsely) Thank you. (Lucky looks confused) The pen.

Lucky: Oh. (he looks down at it) Right. (Nikolas grimaces. He turns his eyes up to the ceiling. He lets his eyes close momentarily, then opens them again, taking in what he can see of his surroundings from this position)

Nik: Hospital.

Lucky: Yeah. (Nikolas winces)

Nik: I always end up here.

Lucky: Not arguing. (Nikolas nods, though it's a sparse movement. His brain is turning like rusty gears. Click, click, click... pieces are presented, absorbed, sorted. Slowly, a picture is being formed. He frowns)

Nik: Where's my... (Nikolas pauses, then swallows painfully before continuing) Uncle. (Lucky looks at his brother critically)

Lucky: Taking a walk. (Nikolas gives a slightly nod, struggling to swallow again. His throat seems to be asking 'what did I ever do to you?'. Lucky, watching this, leans over and picks up a jug of water on the night stand. He pours a glass of water, then turns back to Nikolas, the picture of calm. Nikolas looks back at him, then at the glass of water)

Lucky: Can you sit up?

Nik: Yeah. (Lucky looks at Nikolas expectantly. Nikolas groans, then struggles to push himself up with his arms. He manages, then leans forward a moment, and takes a breath. Yuck. He gives himself a moment to adjust to the position, then moves back to lean against the wall. He's grateful that Lucky doesn't offer to help. That he's not going to hover. Lucky's total lack of concern for him irks him most of the time, but right now he's grateful for it. He doesn't want anyone touching him, or trying to take care of him right now. He just wants to be alone. He glances over at his brother. Being with Lucky, sometimes, was a close enough facsimile. Lucky watches Nikolas impassively, and when he's settled against the headboard, he reaches out and hands him the glass of water. Nikolas takes it, a mumbled phrase that passes for thank-you passing his lips. Lucky doesn't acknowledge it. He's just looking at him. Nikolas notices, for the first time, that the look in Lucky's eyes is decidedly haunted. He wonders if his eyes look anything like that. Nikolas finishes the glass of water, and chokes out one word to Lucky)

Nik: Tired. (Lucky takes a moment to react to that, they narrows his eyes)

Lucky: You've been asleep for two days, Nik. Try selling that to someone who's going to have some sympathy. (Nikolas stares at him. Ok, WHAT? First of all -- TWO DAYS? -- Secondly, could Lucky not be agreeable for more than ten seconds? Just once? And Finally -- that wasn't what he even meant. It's all too much for Nikolas in his current state. He just scowls at Lucky and puts out the water glass for Lucky to take. Lucky looks at it, then reaches out and takes it, fills it again, and hands it back to Nikolas. Nikolas takes the glass back, and drinks it, faster this time. When he's done, Lucky takes the glass back, fills it yet again. This time Nikolas drinks half, then leans back against the headboard. Anyone else would probably offer to help him prop himself up with a pillow. God, he's glad he's not dealing with anyone else. Nikolas smiles slightly)

Nik: I meant that you look tired. (again, Lucky looks confused a moment before he links the comment up with the previous exchange)

Lucky: Oh. Well. (he shrugs) Not all of us can be lucky enough to be drugged by sociopathic matriarchs and get to spend all that quality time in rapid detox.

Nik: Ah. Is that what I was doing?

Lucky: For part of it. Theory is, the last little bit there, you were just being a pain. (Nikolas sighs)

Nik: Look who's talking. (Lucky shrugs, giving Nikolas that one. Nikolas smiles slightly, then takes another sip of water) Besides, you can't be that jealous. I know all about your aversion to sedatives.

Lucky: (shakes his head) Not this time. If I'd had the chance, I would have asked for a menu. (Nikolas laughs outright at that, but it dies in his throat. He looks over at Lucky) Nikolas: Laura. (Lucky just stares at back him. Nikolas feels his chest tighten, then it releases slightly as he looks at the expression on his brother's face) She's not dead, is she. (it's a statement. He can tell from Lucky's demeanor. It's hard to explain, but Lucky wouldn't be here if Laura had passed on while Nikolas was out. The pieces are all slowly floating around him. Coming together into a picture that reminds him that he really doesn't want to be here. At all . He takes another swallow of water, more to assure himself that he still CAN swallow over the tightness he can feel moving into his throat.)

Lucky: Her back is broken.

Nik: (remembering) She fell.

Lucky: Yeah. She's... She's still unconscious. (there is a long silence while Nikolas digests this. He opens his mouth to ask more questions, but the feeling of fatigue is overwhelming. No. he can't... He just can't. No other word for it. A part of him doesn't want to think about this, and Nikolas lets it win. He needs his mother right now. Even if it's just the idea of her.)

Nik: Oh.

Lucky: That's not why I came here. (Nikolas lets out a breath. For about the tenth time since he's opened his eyes, he's glad that Lucky is the one he's dealing with. When did Lucky become the easiest person in his life to deal with? Again, Nikolas's brain rejects the big questions)

Nik: (almost dully) Then why did you come here?

Lucky: (a bit annoyed, a bit amused) I knew you'd ask that.

Nik: Well?

Lucky: You weren't waking up, Nik. Not really a part of the plan for you to pull a sleeping beauty on me here. (Nikolas frowns at him) Not that you aren't an attractive sleeper. Drool's a particularly nice touch. (Nikolas frown morphs into an incredulous look. Lucky smiles at him, clearly enjoying Nikolas's reaction. Nikolas just shakes his head)

Nik: You're giving me a headache.

Lucky: Then my work here is done. (He doesn't move. They both sit in silence. Nikolas takes another sip of water. It's cold, and he can feel it travel down his throat. It feels better than it should -- like water has become ambrosia. The best thing in life.)

Nik: (finally) You wouldn't have let me go.

Lucky: You couldn't leave a note?

Nik: I tried. I couldn't think of anything to say. (he shakes his head slightly, staring at the opposite wall) It didn't feel like it would matter. You'd hate me either way.

Lucky: (after a long pause) Then why'd you do it? (Nikolas shrugs. He drinks again) I thought we had a deal, Nikolas.

Nik: I made a mistake.

Lucky: You said you weren't going to take off on me.

Nik: I know. (Lucky just stares at Nikolas. He didn't want to talk about this. And to his own ears, he sounds whiny. He leans forward on his chair, pressing his lips against the back of his hands, his forehead creased in thought)

Lucky: So are you going to tell me what happened?

Nik: It doesn't matter.

Lucky: Look at me. (Nikolas glances over at him. Lucky is looking at him intently. Nikolas stares back at him.) It matters to me. (Nikolas feels his heart pick up in speed, though he's not sure why. He shakes his head and looks away)

Nik: I had my reasons.

Lucky: Yeah, I get that part. The part that I'm missing is how they meant picking up in the middle of the night and taking off without a word. (Nikolas look over at Lucky. He's scowling at him a little, but it's a mild expression. Definitely not what Nikolas had anticipated)

Nik: I wanted to talk to her. I knew you wouldn't approve. (Lucky squints at him)

Lucky: Talk to her about WHAT?

Nik: (looking down at the glass in his hand) Who I was. Why... Why she was wasting her time with me.

Lucky: Oh, you're kidding.

Nik: No.

Lucky: Are you trying to tell me that we went all this way so that you could do EXACTLY what I told you not to do back before Hannah had even died?

Nik: I didn't see another way, Lucky. (Lucky shakes his head, incredulous)

Lucky: I don't believe this.

Nik: I --

Lucky: (looking up at him, accusing) You mean that whole time you were never planning on actually --

Nik: NO. No, I was. I was. (Lucky shakes his head)

Lucky: You want to enlighten me, then? What changed the plan?

Nik: You did. (Lucky feels the room tip a little. Suddenly, he doesn't like the looks of this conversation)

Lucky: No, I would have remembered that.

Nik: It was something you said. Something... You did. You let me know that I couldn't just walk into the Lion's Den and end this. Not without repercussions.

Lucky: (quietly) What do you think I was doing there? (Nikolas looks at Lucky. He wants to say 'Recapturing Spencer Glory', but he knows it's a lie. Just by looking at Lucky -- just by... Knowing him. He knows that, along with all the other stories Helena tried to feed him about Lucky, was a lie)

Nik: I couldn't let you do that.

Lucky: (raising his eyebrows) LET me?

Nik: Yeah. LET you. It was my fight, Lucky.

Lucky: It was both of our fight.

Nik: (shaking his head) Only because you made it that way. You didn't have to be involved in this, Lucky. You came to my place that night because you knew that I wasn't just going to be able to roll over and take it that time. I know that. I know... You were trying to save me. (Lucky sits back at that. Nikolas looks away quickly) Come on. We both know what would have happened if I'd done this by myself. Either I never would have found her, or... (Nikolas closes his eyes) Or... Things would have worked out differently.

Lucky: So... When exactly did you decide not to invite me to the big party, Nik.

Nik: Remember that day you tried to teach me to fire a gun? (Lucky looks down at the floor. He nods, .)

Lucky: Yeah. On the road.

Nik: If I knew anything about you after that, I knew you weren't a murderer. (Nikolas lets out his breath) And I wasn't going to let you become one over me.

Lucky: (strained) It was my choice.

Nik: Maybe. But I decided not to let you make it. (Lucky looks up at him. His eyes are watery, and a little enraged)

Lucky: What gives you the right to do that? What gives you the right to just decide what I can and can't handle?

Nik: (finally) I'm your brother. (Lucky and Nikolas stare at each other, both expecting there to be a clap of thunder, burst of lightening.. For the floor to open up to swallow both of them. Instead, there is just a distant sound of a doctor being paged floating from down the hall. Nikolas clears his throat) That's it. In the end -- you want the truth, Lucky? That's why I left. Because I'm your brother. All that time we've were stuck together, I realized one thing -- any chance there ever was for us to be "brothers" -- traditional brothers -- burned up a long time ago. Clean slate, no clean slate... You look at me and see... See what you lost. And I look at you and see what I never had. So... Ok, I'll admit it. For a long time, I wanted to make you care about me. I wanted to make you want me in your life --

Lucky: (sharply) You have a funny way of showing that.

Nik: Look. We've been over this.

Lucky: (standing up, pushing away from the chair) Over what? What are you saying?

Nik: I'm saying you don't LIKE me! I'm saying that I finally saw what was going on in front of my face, and knew that ... We weren't ever going to be anything to each other. Except... what we already were. You're my mother's son. You're my sister's brother. And they need you. I knew you'd hate me if I left and cut you out of what was happening with Helena... But it didn't matter. (Lucky looks at him like he's nuts)

Lucky: Why not?

Nik: Because hating me was better than hating yourself! You didn't want me to do something I couldn't live with -- but I was supposed to let you do the same thing? After everything? No. I couldn't let you have this one. I couldn't do that. I owed you at least THIS, after everything... After everything you did to keep my life together. You think I don't see that, Lucky -- but I do. You sacrificed your life for mine. Yes, you were protecting our mother. And you were keeping your family together. But you did all of that by letting your whole view of the world crumble. Just so that the rest of us would still be able to live in blissful ignorance. (Nikolas looks away, his throat unbelievably tight) It was time somebody paid you back for that one. But I knew you'd never LET me do that. So I figured -- you hated me anyway. What was making it a little more? (Lucky stares at Nikolas in near horror, then turns and walks away from him, toward the window. Stefan Cassadine could walk back in here ANY time, he tells himself. They can't get into this. And what's the point anyway? Still. Lucky finds himself shaking his head and responding)

Lucky: I haven't hated you for a long time.

Nik: Well. I guessed I fixed that.

Lucky: (looking over at him, annoyed) I'm HERE, aren't I?

Nik: What does that mean, Lucky? (Lucky just shakes his head, and looks down at the floor. Nikolas examines the glass in his hand. It's shaking a little. God, this isn't what he expected to wake up to. And oddly enough... as sick as he feels right now, he's almost beyond being able to care about the outcome of this conversation. Why bother protecting himself now? What was the point? He takes a long drink of the water in his glass. Lucky doesn't say anything to him for several moments)

Lucky: Nik?

Nik: Yeah?

Lucky: Remember that night -- on the docks. I was walking Foster, and you... You were still learning to talk. You came up to me, and... (Lucky shakes his head, tears stinging his eyes) What was that about? (Nikolas frowns. He could pretend he doesn't remember what Lucky is talking about, but he does. The docks, near Luke's. When he'd told Lucky to get away from him. Nikolas stares at him.)

Nik: (softly) Why were you looking in my window?

Lucky: What?

Nik: At the hospital. The reason I asked you to come in, right before my stroke. It was because I saw you standing there, looking in the window. Why were you there?

(Lucky looks at him, then just shakes his head)

Lucky: You ... You'd been shot.

Nik: Was it because of Emily?

Lucky: What? What are you talking about?

Nik: Sarah always told me that you were there because of Emily. That you didn't WANT to be there --

Lucky: I didn't. General Hospital, ICU, with Stefan Cassadine stomping around like a five foot ten Godzilla? Yeah, that was my idea of a good time.

Nik: Then why were you there? (Lucky looks over at him. Nikolas isn't goading him. Isn't joking, or trying to press buttons. He just looks... worn out. And sad. Lucky waits for that feeling he always gets whenever this topic comes up -- that panic in his stomach, tightness in his chest. But nothing is coming. Blame it on the shock, he thinks mildly. Or maybe he's losing his edge. Fighting with Nikolas just doesn't have the same kind of appeal. He shrugs at Nikolas.)

Lucky: Because. You were my brother.