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Chapter Two Hundred Twenty-One: Errands
The Morgan Penthouse. Emily Quartermaine walks through the door Renaldo is holding open for her, with a suitcase in one hand, and Michael on her hip. She turns, looking a bit harried, and bites her lip. She pushes her long streaked hair out of her face, and adjusts her hold on the toddler. Em: Renaldo, can you just watch those bags? No real point in bringing them in, and I'll only be a minute. Ren: Not a problem, Emily. Em: Thanks. I'm just... (she sighs and rolls her head around her shoulders) Too much to do, too much to think. (She looks back at him and smiles) Where's the lady of the house? Ren: (yelling out) CARLY! Carly: (bellowing from upstairs) WHAT? Ren: She's upstairs. Em: (amused) So I hear. (she puts down Michael's suitcase) Thanks, Renaldo. Ren: Anytime. (He returns to the hall and closes the door behind him. Emily looks at Michael, still smiling. She bounces him a little on her hip, though he's getting pretty big for her) Em: Count of three, Ok? (Michael grins. He knows this game) One... Two... Three-- (she pulls in a deep breath and she and Michael scream in unison) MOMMY!!!!! (There is a thump upstairs, and then Em hears Carly calling) Carly: Michael? (She appears at the top of the stairs, looking a bit harried herself) Oh my GOD! You're back! What time is it? (she dashes down the stairs) God, I'm still all messed up on Paris time. Em: (smirking) Poor baby. (Carly reaches the bottom of the stairs and puts out her arms to Michael, who reaches out, one arm hanging from Emily's neck, until he's firmly in his mother's arms. Carly gives him a bear hug, laughing) Carly: OHhhhhhh, Michael. I missed you! I really, really missed you. It's so GOOD to have you home! (Carly puts the little boy down on his feet) Must be good to BE home, huh? (Emily coughs subtly. Carly glances up and they exchange a look. Carly takes a deep breath) Did you have fun all week with Daddy? You guys have a good time? Michael: Yeah. (Emily puts a hand on the top of Michael's head) Em: You'll see he's as talkative as ever. (Carly laughs) Carly: That's my boy. (She leans over and whispers in his ear) You want to see Jason? (Michael looks up and nods enthusiastically. Carly points down the hall towards Jason's office) Go surprise him. (Michael grins, and looks up at Emily. Emily gives him a thumbs up sign, and Michael laughs, then trots off down the hall to find his newly acquired stepfather. Carly stands up, watching him go) Of course, we're assuming that Jason is deaf, but then, nothing really shocks Jason anyway. (She shakes her head and turns back to Emily) SO! How was the week? Please tell me AJ isn't going to make me regret letting him have access to Michael. Em: No. I think... The gesture was appreciated. Really. (Carly makes a face) Carly: That's all I should ask, huh? I start going into specifics, I'll go nuts. Em: It wasn't a disaster. I think... It worked really well. They were on their best behavior. Even Grandfather. (Carly shakes her head) Carly: (running a hand through her hair) Man, you're braver than I am. (She closes her eyes) And I don't know how AJ and I are going to work things out without you to mediate. (Emily bites her lip and looks away. She's already had a similar conversation when she left the mansion this morning. Guilt, guilt, guilt.) Em: You'll work it out. (She runs a hand through her hair quickly) AJ's... mellowing. Time... Changes things. Or whatever -- there's a cliche for this, I'm sure of it. Carly: (laughing) Ok. Are you sure you're all right? You look tired. (Emily sits down on the arm of the sofa. She feels like she's living her life on a hamster wheel -- running and running and never getting anywhere. It's an illusion, though. Things ARE moving.) Em: Yeah, I'm Ok. Just... stressed. (She gives Carly a wane smile) If I get through today, I'll get through the rest of it, you know? Just looking for the light at the end of the tunnel. Carly: (exhaling) Which brings us to the next topic... Are you ready for the big trip? (Emily gives a nervous laugh) Em: In a sort of "sick to my stomach, shaking in my boots" kind of way... Yeah, I guess I am. Lucky finally got back from New York yesterday, and Nikolas flew in last night. So. (she gives a thumbs up) All systems go. Carly: I can't believe you guys are doing this. (Emily laughs slightly and looks down at the floor) Em: Which part? Carly: You know which part. Em: (shrugging) It's important. For Nikolas and me. Lucky too. Carly: Still. Location-wise... Em: (looking up) It's just a start. After that... Who knows? I'll probably be having the time of my life in a week. Carly: You and Lucky have an itinerary or anything? (Emily laughs) Em: Oh, what do you think? We have to be back by August so I can get ready for college -- that's the extent of our "plans". Carly: Anything could happen, huh? Em: When Lucky's involved? Anything DOES happen. Carly: OH, and you just HATE that, don't you? Em: You just married a mobster. Glass houses. Carly: We're sick people, Emily. (Emily nods, crossing her arms) How is my cousin, anyway? Em: Fine... I think. I've barely talked to him since the wedding. Between me staying at the Gatehouse, and his being in the city -- it was pretty much phone calls between family crises. (Emily hugs her arms around herself) I saw more of his father this last week than I saw of him. Carly: What does he have to do in New York anyway? Can't you guys take care of all that stuff when you get back? (Emily shrugs. Sure they can. But there's more going on here than advertised, and no one -- not even Carly -- is getting that story out of her) Em: Lucky wanted to do it this way. And... I don't know. A little time apart never killed anyone. Carly: (snorting) Don't give me that. He's up to something again, isn't he? (Emily just glances at Carly, then turns away) Em: (deadpan) I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. Carly: Well, just tell him to keep his ass out of jail, Ok? I do NOT want to get another bail call at three in the morning. Em: Oh, come on. He hasn't been arrested in... what? Two months? Carly: Nine weeks. But who's counting? Em: Yeah, well... It's not really Lucky's fault. Taggert just has it in for him these days. Carly: We here at Chez Morgan relate. Trust me. Em: Lucky just wanted to make sure everything was set in New York, Ok? And... Well. It was a good move -- Politically -- for me to give the "living with my family" thing another go, no matter how temporary. Grandpa finally stopped calling me Mrs. Spencer by my fourth day there. (Carly smirks) Carly: Is that some kind of jab at my family? Em: No! Ok, yeah. Probably. He just thinks I gave up Quartermania for Spencerdom. Carly: Well. You work for Luke, you live with Lucky -- Em: I don't LIVE with Lucky. Carly: Emily. Where does Lucky live. (Emily stares at her a long moment) Em: He... Doesn't live with me. Just crashes there. That's all. Carly: Right. Lucky Spencer, King of the Road. Em: (giving her a look) Not to change the topic -- but how was Paris? (Carly sighs, and flops down into the arm chair) Carly: You know... I always kinda had something against that city, but it's actually really nice. But take notes, Emily -- The Riviera is better -- much more my speed. Em: Not shocked. (she gives Carly an odd look) But, Ok -- I admit, I can't figure out why Jason was thinking PARIS of all places for your honeymoon! Carly: (half rolling her eyes) I think it was your brother's idea of a joke. Em: (raising eyebrows) A joke? Carly: Yeah. (she smirks) A very private one that I think I'll be taking to my grave. Em: (putting up her hands) Enough said. Carly: But... Em? I know we've uh... Been kinda on-and-off? (Emily shifts her weight. Uh oh...) But... Really -- Thanks for everything you've done with Michael. And for your help with the wedding. Jason's got a great little sister. (Emily looks over at her. Carly looks, shockingly, sincere) Em: Thanks. (She stands up, shaking her head out.) Ok. Where IS my brother? I gotta say my good-byes and go pick up Lulu at the Brownstone. Carly: Lulu? Why? Em: Ohhhh... She's heading up to Oswego today. Luke drove most of her stuff up last weekend, and her room's ready -- but they're taking her up today. Carly: Already? What about school? (Emily laughs) Em: Right. School. That whole classroom structure thing? That's something Luke and Lucky take REALLY seriously. Carly: Uh. Sarcasm? Em: A little. I mean... Lucky was pretty much home schooled until he was ten -- which is why he knows more Turkish History than he knows State Capitals -- and I think the only school Luke ever came out of was the School of Hard Knocks. Carly: So they're pulling her out of kindergarten? Is she Ok with that? Em: She's enthused. The public school thing hasn't gone over. (Emily sighs) It took Lucky a year, but when she comes back to PC in the fall, Luke's gonna put her in a private school. (Carly blinks) Carly: Excuse me? Em: She's too bright for kindergarten, and she's too... shy for the whole pack mentality thing. And... You know, structure and socialization and everything is important... But she misses her mother. And I think maybe this might be how it is for a while. She'll spend some time at her Grandmother's and the rest of the year in Port Charles with Luke. If it works out. Carly: And if it doesn't? Em: (letting out her breath) Lucky and I come back to PC and we regroup. (Carly cocks her head at Emily) Carly: Regroup? Structure and socialization? How OLD are you? (Emily lets out a short laugh) Em: I'm already looking for gray hairs. (She closes her eyes) It's just taken a long time to figure out what's going to be best for Lulu. Nothings more important to Luke and Lucky. And... She's a great kid having a terrible year. I guess... the part of me that lost my mother really wants to see things get better for her. Carly: Emily. I want me to promise me something. (Emily looks at Carly warily) Em: Promise? Carly: When you get to Europe? When you and Lucky get off on your own -- away from the whole PC scene -- Have fun. You're going to have the rest of your life to be old. Go be a kid, for God's sake. (Emily laughs) Em: Luke's saying the same thing. Every time Lucky makes noise about staying, Luke makes these big speeches about freedom and grass beneath your feet and rolling stones. Then he starts singing old Blues song, Lucky doesn't stand a chance. Luke's got him too well trained. It's almost Pavlovian. You bring the Blues into something, he just can't stand the idea of being settled and stable. Carly: Lu's gonna be fine. How can she not be? (Carly puts her arms out) Look at her family. Em: (shaking her head) Right. It takes a village. (She shudders) Suddenly I'm having high hopes for Oswego. Carly: Hey! Em: Joking! Really. Now give me a hug before I have to go play travel agent. Carly: (moving to hug her) Why are YOU playing travel agent? Are the guys busy? Em: (grimacing) Something like that.
Spoon Island Docks The air is wet, heavy with the aftermath of an earth pounding, tree bending, water churning storm. It's cold -- but not a winter cold. Wet, sharp spring cold. The air smells like dirt and pine. It's the kind of morning you don't find in far flung locations like Greece... Japan... Tibet. Nikolas Cassadine is reveling in it. He stands on the end of the deck, having just completed his morning Tai Chi repetitions. It's been a long time since he's stood here. It's familiar. Nice, after an absence of almost four months. Nice to hear the birds again, to feel the wind. It feels like home. Almost as much as the island. He feels like he belongs to both places equally. Which isn't saying much, since he doesn't truly believe he belongs to anything. Still. There is something to be said for nostalgia. Nikolas rolls his head and shoulders, trying to get rid of a stubborn crick in his neck. He'll be back here soon enough. And that will be it's own kind of challenge. He and Lucky would have a lot of time to work that out. Though... working things out with LUCKY wasn't what he was worried about. His Aunt had been right, way back in that hospital in Athens. Things change. Of course... other things stay stubbornly the same. A noise on the stairs behind Nikolas alerts him to the fact that he's no longer alone. Nikolas turns and looks behind him at his former nanny. She is hovering uncertainly at the bottom of the stairs) Nik: Katija. Katija: Am I disturbing you? Nik: No. Not at all. I'm finished. Katija: Oh. (she frowns) It is difficult to tell. Nik: When I start staring into space more than moving, that usually means I'm done. Is there something I can do for you? Katija: Breakfast. Nik: (warningly) Katija, you're not cooking, are you? Katija: (heavily) No. No, I am not. I am coming to inform you that it is breakfast time. And yours shall be served shortly. (Nikolas nods) Nik: Thank-you. I was about to come up anyway. But you don't have to run all over the island looking for me -- it's really all right. Katija: I don't want you to go hungry. Nik: That's unlikely. Between you and Mrs. Landsbury... No wonder I had to go to Asia before I could attempt a fast. Katija: A fast? I knew you hadn't been eating properly! And put your shirt on. You're going to catch your death, after being away from these temperatures for so long. Nik: Parts of Tibet are frigid, Katija. Katija: And I'm certain you dressed appropriately. Nik: I wouldn't dare tell you if I hadn't. (Nikolas picks up his shirt off the dock) All the same, I thank you for your concern. Katija: It's my job. Nik: (looking over at her) You're my father's... (he abandons this sentence). None of this is your job! Katija: Then it's my responsibility, and I take it to heart, whatever words you prefer I use. (She puts her hands on her hips) You are terribly hung up on semantics. Nik: And you still act like my nanny. I'm 21 years old! Katija: (putting her hands on her hips) If you paid a little more attention to your own care, Nikolas, I'd gladly stop worrying about you. Nik: (smiling a little) I was wondering when I'd see you. I got in later than I meant to last night. Katija: I know. Mrs. Landsbury told me you were coming over on the launch. But you were not alone. (Nikolas's smile spreads a bit) Nik: He isn't dangerous, you know. (Katija's expression remains implacable) I know he makes you uncomfortable. Katija: (finally) He's very... familiar. Nik: That's just how he is. He likes to shake people up. It's a hobby of his. Katija: Not a very becoming one. Nik: On the contrary, it seems to make him a lot of friends. (Katija shakes her head) Katija: You are two very different young men. (Nikolas shrugs. At one point he would have taken great pride in that. At another it would have felt like a punch in the gut. Now... it just feels like the truth) Nik: Lucky's a good person to have on your side. He's ON your side, by the way. Katija: (dryly) Oh, is he? Nik: (laughing softly) I think he's one of your biggest fans. Ever since you smacked my uncle in front of half the staff of GH last year for attempting to kiss your hand in public. (Katija blushes scarlet) Katija: That was terribly American of him. Nik: It happens to the best of us. (Katija looks at him, disturbed) Assimilation. You try to fight it, but eventually they suck you in. It's a compelling culture. Katija: (sniffing) I don't see what's so compelling about it. Or why assimilation could be a good thing -- you make them sound like an entire nation of those Robots from that fantasy space movie. Nik: I feel moved, suddenly, to remind you that I technically am an American. And to point out that Star Trek's also an American Institution. Katija: Whatever it is, it's terrible! Did you know -- that woman... That woman at the hospital! She wants to dye my hair! She just said that to me, with no preamble. Who says such a thing? (Nikolas winces. Katija is not exactly embracing her new home. It's painfully clear, sometimes, that Stefan is the only reason she is here. No matter how stubborn she is about the bounds of their relationship, she's hooked on him like he's a drug. That would be more unsettling if Stefan hadn't fallen under a similar spell) Nik: Let me guess. Amy? Katija: I didn't inquire as to her name, but she's very forward. Nik: Amy. She's my aunt. Katija: (momentarily flustered) I see. (she frowns, shaking that off) Well, then, you tell her! You tell her she should not speak so freely of other people's business! Nik: (trying not to smile) I would lose a hand for trying. Katija: Why should I want hair like hers anyway? What is wrong with my hair? Nik: Nothing is wrong with your hair -- That's just how Amy is. Katija: Do you call ALL of your aunts by their first names? Nik: Katija, if you would deign to become my aunt, then you would be able to find out for yourself. (Katija falls momentarily silent.) Katija: Your father -- Nik: Uncle, Katija. (Katija looks away, hissing at herself under her breath in Russian) Katija: I'm sorry. He speaks of himself as your father so often -- in private, so do I. Nik: I know. I understand. I just... I'm trying to train myself as much as you. I still think of him as my father. But... We all made decisions. Katija: I agree with them. You are making a wonderful Prince. (Nikolas's eyes cloud. He bend down to pick up a towel off the dock) Nik: We'll see. My point was.... (He straightens up) Lucky appreciates your... He'd say "attitude". Katija: (looking a little disturbed) Attitude? Nik: He means it as a compliment. (Nikolas reaches out and takes the woman's hand) I mean it as a compliment too. Though a part of me wishes you'd submit to my uncle. It would be nice to have a stepmother, no matter how closely we would guard that secret. (Katija's expression melts and she puts a hand to her heart. Then she pulls her hand free and turns away) Katija: Nikolas! You are overstepping your bounds. Nik: (teasing) What bounds? I'm a Prince, remember? Katija: Your father -- your uncle seems to feel that he owes me something. I still don't know why he things I'd ever agree to anything as absurd as marrying that far out of my station! Nik: Because you love him, Katija. (Katija makes a snorting noise and looks away) Katija: He should not ignore... Nik: What? I've heard all your arguments. You were a servant, he's a count... you betrayed my family... Katija -- You didn't betray ME. And... You love my father. He loves you -- you've more than given him his conquest. Just... know that if you decide to respond to one of his proposals with anything other than yet another "Never", that you'll not only be making him happy. You'll be making your Prince happy as well. (Katija looks appalled) Katija: That is remarkably unfair play, Nikolas Cassadine. Nik: Yeah, well. I'm told I have a talent for it. And I'm tired of this place being so dreary! (Nikolas makes a face) And in confidence? I'm terribly jet-lagged and more than a little sleep deprived, so there is a very good chance that I'm saying things I don't entirely pass through my brain first. (he lets out his breath) Was there a reason you came down here? (Katija looks blank) Besides the fresh air and slightly off-putting company? Katija: Your father would like to see you. Before you leave. (Nikolas nods) Nik: He thinks, perhaps, I'm planning on flying out of PC International without so much as a hello? Katija: He did not TELL me to come and get you. I'm taking an initiative. Nik: (letting out his breath) All right. I'm up for it. The very worst that can happen is that I'll fall asleep mid-sentence. (Katija looks disturbed. Nikolas smiles and leans in, looking a little conspiratorially) That's a joke. I'm desperate to see him -- but my body thinks it's eight in the evening. When I got up this morning it would have been criminal to wake him. Katija: He's missed you terribly. (Nikolas starts to reply, then stops and takes in the expression on Katija's face. He nods after a minute). Nik: And I him. I'll be up momentarily.
Luke's Blues Club, Parking Lot. A Harley Davidson pulls into the club from round the bend in the road, and turns a full circle in the empty lot, before pulling up to a spot off to the side of the front door, and coming to a stop. The engine idles a moment before it's killed. The driver leans back in the seat a moment, then pulls off his helmet in one fluid motion. He hooks it onto the back of the bike and runs his hand through his hair as he glances around the barren area. Somehow, he though it'd feel different coming here today. Like there would be some sort of sign -- or ghost -- of the accident that nearly killed his fiance a year ago. The anniversary of that "fateful" night, if that's what it was, had been yesterday. He'd tried to shrug it off, but it was eating at him. More than any other event he'd had to remember in the last week, that was the one that had bothered him the most. With Nik and Em coming up on the nightmare of Hannah's murder... He didn't like to think about what they were going through. Lucky lets out his breath, and rams his foot against the kickstand on the motorcycle. He leans the bike to the side, and hops off it of it. Ugh. He didn't get enough sleep last night to deal with a day that started this early. It's making him maudlin. He was already in a terminally bad mood over the Emily deprivation of the last two weeks. And New York... Was just surreal. He still didn't know what he was planning on doing about that. But mostly, he's worn out because last night he didn't find a bed until 4:30 AM, and once he'd fallen into it, he'd just laid there and felt like crap. Who had he been, that night Emily was almost killed? Who WAS that guy? It still made him sick, to think about it. How consumed he'd been. How completely incapable he was of handling the big moments. He'd almost let himself bleed to death that night -- probably would have, if Nikolas hadn't dragged him to the hospital. What kind of decision was that? It was a miracle he was still here. Luck. And good training. That was the only reason he'd made it out in one piece. And... Since he had -- waste not, want not. Hell -- there must be a reason he's still around. See? Maudlin. Lucky does a full body stretch, and lets out his breath slowly. Right. New day, stuff to do, people to see... Emily. He shakes his head. No. Stuff to do. OTHER people to see. He'd catch up with Emily at the airport. That was the plan. Right now, he has good-byes to say. He hangs his helmet on the handle bar of the bike, and heads into the club. It's quiet -- the smell of cigarettes and alcohol hangs in the air. Morning at Luke's. It never changes. Lucky had already been by the house -- taken Foster for a run, then locked up for the day. He hadn't been all that surprised that his father wasn't home. Luke wasn't big on the place when Lulu wasn't there. It was just in the name of stability that they were still living there. Laura's touch was all over the house, and that was important for his sister. For him, too, to be honest. Hard to see the place you grew up in get dismantled. For his Dad, he knew it hurt. But a lot of things hurt for Luke. Lucky couldn't do anything to fix that. Nikolas had flown in last night, and Lulu had about outdone herself on the exuberant front. God, she was so pure in her emotions. When she was happy, the whole world shined. When she was unhappy... The gates to hell were ajar. Lucky could probably count the number of temper tantrums that Lulu had thrown on one hand BEFORE the accident. Afterwards -- different story. There were things she seemed to handle without any thought whatsoever -- but then she'd have a fit over some little thing that no one saw coming. Not being able to find the book she wanted, or not having the right pair of socks. With Luke running the house, there had been a lot of sock incidents. Well. No one had had a stellar year. He was not exactly the person to be speaking out against unconventional childhoods. Though, for the first time, he thinks he realizes why everyone used to freak out about him. It's... daunting. Even being a part of making those decisions. Hard to shake the feeling that you might be messing up in a way that can't be undone. Lucky lets out a long breath. Man, he's never going to get out of here if he doesn't stop this melancholy stuff. Lucky shakes his head out, and starts across the bar, adopting his trademark swagger. Even if you don't feel the part, it's best to walk it. His reputation has taken a dive -- depending on your perspective -- and Lucky's decided playing to ignorance serves him better than fighting it. If nothing else... Most people opt to leave him alone. Except Taggert. But... Given the way things went in New York, Lucky might very well have the last laugh on that guy. Lucky reaches the door to his father's office, when he stops dead. The sound of something large and heavy hitting the wall pulls his attention Inside he hears a woman's voice -- yelling. Oh boy. She sounds pissed. Suddenly, the door flies open, slamming hard against the wall. Lucky takes a step back at the woman scorned starts to come through the door, turning back to deliver her parting remark. Alexis: And you can TAKE your paranoid delusions of grandeur and stick them wherever you hid that damn Ice Princess -- THAT'S RIGHT, I can dig up ancient history too. You do NOT want to go head to head with me on this one, Spencer, I will bury you! (She turns, tossing his hair dramatically, and nearly runs right into Lucky. She stops dead and stares at him a moment. Lucky can't help it. He cracks a smile. Alexis shakes her head and pushes past him) OOOOh-ho-hohhhh, Don't you start with me too. Lucky: (as she departs) Wouldn't dream of it. (He moves forward, and looks around the door to his father's door. Luke is standing behind the desk, looking almost bewildered as he stares at the overturned filing cabinet and the papers that are now strew across his floor. Lucky raises his eyebrows. Wow. Score a point for Hurricane Alexis.) Lucky: Should I bother to knock? (Luke looks up, a bit startled. He frowns, then turns back to look at the mess in front of him) Luke: For a small woman, she's got some strength. Lucky: (flat) You know, I spent a lot of time organizing those files. Luke: It's just like makin' the bed. Just gets messed up again. (Lucky steps into the office.) Lucky: So once again, I prove my timing sucks. (Luke starts to nod, then snaps out of his reverie and looks up at Lucky) Luke: What? Lucky: Looked like I interrupted something. Luke: (shrugging) Nothing more than some good old interfamily rumble. (Lucky nods) Lucky: Yeah... You got a little lipstick -- (Luke rubs at the corner of his mouth, absently) Luke: You're seein' things. Lucky: On your neck. (He indicates with his fingers. Luke turns away, rubbing his neck with his hand) Luke: (mumbling) What are you talking about? (Lucky sighs. Six months this has been going on -- at least. And his Dad still won't own up to it.) Lucky: It doesn't bother me, Dad. Luke: (sitting down) Nothing's going on. (Lucky smirks and collapses into the chair. A few months back, Lucky got Luke to admit that he and Alexis had let things get a bit physical once or twice -- but any hint Lucky makes that he knows there's a full blown affair going on, Luke still ducks. At first it really ticked Lucky off, but now... Now he just figures Luke doesn't want to admit that maybe he's fallen for a Cassadine to HIMSELF... Once he starts telling his kids, he might have to actually face up to it. As for the other implications... he doesn't like to think about that too much. He's staying out of his parent's marriage -- and if something inside him doesn't want to admit his father could ever be with a woman who isn't his mother -- That's something only he and Emily know for certain. There are things he just doesn't talk about in the clear light of day. Lucky flops down in the chair across from the desk and pushes his foot against the desk, sending the chair rolling lazily backwards) Lucky: Sure. If that's the way you want to play it. Luke: Trust me. I'm not getting soft on any of the Cassadines. Not even your Prince Brother there. (Lucky sits up in the chair. He is no longer smiling. Luke looks at him evenly.) Everything still solid there? Lucky: (crossing his arms) How do you mean? Luke: With Nikolas. Look, I know the date, Lucky. I know where you three are off to. And I know what this last week's been like for you -- You'd tell me if Prince Nikky was having another one of his meltdowns, right? Lucky: First of all, Nikolas doesn't so much melt down, as... Implode. Secondly -- He's fine. Far as I can tell, he's got a firmer grip on sanity than... Well, it's all relative, huh? (Lucky leans forward in the chair and meets his father's gaze) Are you going to give him a hard time? Luke: Not if he stays in line. (Lucky suppressing an urge to groan. He can't fix this, he reminds himself. He's going to have to let them fight it out between themselves, if that's what it comes to. Just as long as they keep it away from Lulu) Lucky: You think he's getting out of line, call me before you talk to him. Luke: We've been over that, Lucky. Lucky: Yeah, and I'm saying you still don't cut him any slack -- Luke: And I'm saying I've seen that kid get pretty wacky this past year. Add on top of that his taking off to live in a Buddhist Temple for four months -- Lucky: (looking up at the ceiling) Yeah... Taking off to sort out your head. You couldn't relate to that at all, could you? (Luke looks across at Lucky. He doesn't answer. Finally Lucky looks back at him. Luke reaches out and picks up a cigar, his eyes still on his son) Luke: I'm just saying that my concern for my daughter comes first, Lucky. She's just a little girl -- you have things worked out with Cassadine, that's your business. I respect that. But I don't like the idea of him bein' around without anyone to keep an eye on him! You and Emily -- I trust you. I trust your take on the situation. You handled everything like a real pro -- I give you credit for that. But you're leavin' Lucky. You're gonna be gone and he's gonna be here. That gives me some reason to worry. (Lucky just looks at Luke levelly) Lucky: You guys have to work this out. It's that simple. Luke: We're as "worked out" as we get. Lucky: Dad. Luke: What do you want from me, Lucky? I'm not going to like the kid. I'm not playing any games with him, I'm not telling you anything but the truth. I don't trust him. Lucky: Then trust me. Luke: I've been trusting you all along, Lucky. That's not the question here. Lucky: Then what is? God, you're still so twisted up about all of this, aren't you? You still get totally threatened by him, don't you? Luke: Yeah. Yeah, Cowboy. I do. (he puts his arms out) But I'm trying. (Lucky lets out his breath) Lucky: I know you are. (he looks back at him) You gotta try harder. I'm leaving because I have to, Dad. I'm not trying to mess anything up. I'm trying to do what's best for everyone -- Luke: That's not in question, Lucky. Lucky: Yeah -- well. If Lulu's your first priority -- and she should be -- then let Nik help out with her. Let her have her brother, Ok? And take up... I don't know. Boxing. Something. Just put the aggression some place else, she doesn't need it. Luke: I know what's best for my daughter. Lucky: SO DO I. (Luke sits back. He shakes his head and bites the end off his cigar viciously. He looks down at the desk top and lets out his breath, before looking back at Lucky) Luke: We're all doing the best we can. This hasn't been easy for anyone. Lucky: I know. (He closes his eyes for slightly longer than a blink, then opens them again) I'm leaving today, Dad. This is me coming to say good-bye, I don't want to fight with you. (Luke nods, reaching for his lighter.) Luke: Then we'll let it lie. Lucky: I can't do that. (Luke flicks the lighter and looks up at Lucky. He stares at him a moment, then lights the cigar, and flicks off the lighter.) Luke: What are your demands, Cowboy? Lucky: If you want to rip into Nikolas... You call me first. I'll always be easy to reach. (Luke smiles, and takes a puff of his cigar. He leans back in the chair) And if you can't wait to call -- just don't give him hell in front of Lulu. Ok? Luke: I learn from my mistakes. (He leans forward and puts his hand out to Lucky. Lucky looks at it, then leans forward, taking his father's hand. Luke squeezes his hand tightly) I'll call you. (they looks at each other a long moment, than Lucky breaks into a grin) Lucky: See? Was that so hard? (Luke drops his hand, and leans back) Luke: Can't let you think I'm going soft. Lucky: Never. (he leans back in the chair) I do have something to say, though. Luke: Lay it on me. Lucky: I spent last with Nik -- You have nothing to worry about. Luke: See, and you couldn't just say that from the beginning. Lucky: I was making a point. Luke: Oh, I know what you were doing, Lucky. Don't forget who taught you that garbage. Lucky: Like you'd let me. Luke: I thought you'd spending last night with your Lady Love. Lucky: (closing his eyes) Still at the mansion. (Luke shakes his head) Luke: I'm gonna have to start questioning that girl's sanity. Lucky: Family's family. (he sits up, shaking himself) I'll see her when she drops off Lu. (Lucky gestures lamely with his hand) We'll catch up on the plane, I guess. (Luke leans back in his chair.) Luke: So how much time we got? Lucky: (shrugging) An hour? Luke: An hour. (he nods, smiling a little) Well, come on. Let me buy you a drink.
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