Chapter Two Hundred Twenty-Two:
Cat's Cradle
(or "Better Living Through Caffeine")

Luke's Club.

Lucky is sitting on the bar, supporting himself with his hands, and staring at the stage so hard that the whole scenes beginning to blur on him. He hears the sound of bottles being put down on the bar, and glances down. His father's put a steaming cup of black coffee down beside him. Smart, smart man, his father. Lucky turns back to the stage.

Lucky: Thanks.

Luke: You're looking pensive today, Cowboy.

Lucky: You remember how she used to sing? She'd be kinda uptight for the first line or something, and then something broke loose in her. (he blinks) She could have been great.

Luke: Yeah. That's the one thing I knew about her -- the girl could sing. (Lucky nods)

Lucky: I turned on her, you know. (Luke leans on the bar. He looks over at his son)

Luke: How you mean?

Lucky: Once I knew what she was doing here. I didn't exactly have a lot of compassion.

Luke: (snorting) You protected her from me. That's pretty damn compassionate. (Lucky blinks. Yeah. Wrong audience for that one. He looks over at his Dad and smiles wryly)

Lucky: Right. I forgot. (he reaches over and picks up the mug of coffee.) I really need this.

Luke: You look like you spent the night under a rock. (Lucky takes a sip of the coffee and makes a face)

Lucky: I was out at Wyndemere. (he looks over at Luke) And no, that's not where I slept -- I just got home late.

Luke: Home. (Lucky hesitates. Damn.)

Lucky: I slept at Emily's. Alone. Because -- yes -- I'm pathetic. Is that what you wanted to hear?

Luke: (smiling to himself) God, you got it bad for that girl.

Lucky: Doesn't seem to go away, does it?

Luke: Not if you're lucky. (They fall into silence. Lucky, suddenly possessed by an urge to move, puts down the mug and leaps off the bar onto the floor. He paces a small section of floor, Luke watching him. He looks up finally)

Lucky: There's some stuff I should talk to you about.

Luke: Just like that.

Lucky: Didn't really know where any of it was going until last week. (he runs a hand through his hair.)

Luke: You're that desperate to change the topic?

Lucky: (laughing slightly) Yeah. Looks that way.

Luke: I'm doing Ok, Lucky. (Lucky looks off over his father's shoulder. Yeah. Yeah, he always says that.) Come on. I appreciate you laying whatever it is you've been up to on the sacrificial altar. But if you wanna talk about me and your mother, we can do that. I'm not gonna break, Lucky. (Lucky doesn't blink. He continues staring off into the distance for several moments)

Lucky: (finally) I saw the papers, you know. (there's a long silence. Luke studies the top of the bar.)

Luke: Did you, now?

Lucky: I wasn't looking for them. They were on top of the desk when I came in one morning. Few months back.

Luke: Right. I should have put them away.

Lucky: Are you gonna sign 'em?

Luke: (looking up) Yeah, I probably am. (Lucky stares at his father. Right. He knew that. He did. Yeah. Ok. Sure. He cracks a smile, and turns on the spot to look at the opposite wall) You Ok with that, Cowboy?

Lucky: (after a moment) No. Yes. Maybe. (he shakes his head) She's doing it because she thinks it's not fair. To... You know.

Luke: I know. (he looks back down at the bar. He and Lucky have been dancing around this one for awhile) But that's not the only reason, Lucky. Your mother and I... We understand each other. Now, probably more than ever. You know... Lucky.

Lucky: (distantly) Yeah?

Luke: Turn around. (Lucky lets out a shaky breath. He turns around and looks at his father. His eyes are glistening. Luke lets out a long breath. Occasionally, he can still see the kid in his son. He looks directly into his eyes.) I'll love your mother forever. (Luke frowns hard. Lucky nods, his throat closing up) I'll love what we had... what we made. But... A lot of things happened between us. A lot of things changed. And in the end, she and I were the people who made that marriage. And she and I are gonna end it. Don't you think anything you did changed our course. Laura and I know where we stand. Signing those papers -- It doesn't mean what it does for most people.

Lucky: Right. Spencers. Nothing's ever black and white, right?

Luke: (looking directly at him) We're never gonna be over. I can look in her eyes and see that. You got that?

Lucky: (a bit rough) Yeah. Yeah, I got that.

Luke: Doesn't mean I'm not gonna have to get good and drunk to sign those damn things.

Lucky: Will.... Will you tell me when you do it? (Lucky lets the tears that are begging to escape fall. He's not crying... just tearing a bit.)

Luke: Yeah.

Lucky: Good. (Lucky nods, pressing his lips together. Finally, he laughs.) Might need a stiff drink after that myself. (Luke gives him a look. Lucky shakes his head and walks down to his coffee) Really glad that conversation's over.

Luke: Yeah? Don't think I forgot that was what you started out trying to AVOID, Cowboy. What was it you said you were going to talk to me about? (Lucky cups he mug in his hands, and stares into the black liquid. Huh. How does he broach this one?)

Lucky: I found a place for Em and I to live in New York.

Luke: Yeah?

Lucky: Yeah. Near NYU, lots of space, lots of light. Too expensive. She'll love it. (Luke chuckles)

Luke: So you're all set, huh? (Lucky raises his eyes)

Lucky: I can decide to stay any time.

Luke: Ah, you'll drive us all nuts in a week without Emily to smooth out your edges.

Lucky: (sarcastic) Thanks, Dad. I appreciate the love.

Luke: (firmly) You're going. I appreciate everything you've done this year, and I know you're gonna be around constantly -- but I don't want you putting your life on hold anymore than you have. BUT. I gotta say, I'm glad you decided against Berkeley.

Lucky: (pointedly) I didn't.

Luke: Whatever. I'm glad you're still gonna be in the state.

Lucky: Yeah... I'm not so distressed about staying in state either.

Luke: So there you go. It's an all-round happy ending. (Lucky smiles slightly, gazes back into the coffee like it's holding the answers to the universe) You seeing anything in there you're gonna share with the earthbound? (Lucky blinks)

Lucky: Huh?

Luke: We're supposed to be having a conversation here.

Lucky: (shaking out his head) Uh...Yeah. Right. I... (he sighs) I don't know. Deep thoughts.

Luke: Lay 'em on me. (Lucky pushes himself away from the bar and grips the edge, stretching out his back and groaning. He straightens up and looks at his father)

Lucky: I think... since last year -- I've been looking for an ending. Some place where I could wrap up everything and say "That's it. It's behind me". Thing is, life doesn't really work like that, does it?

Luke: Sometimes. (Lucky gives Luke a look)

Lucky: Come on.

Luke: (shrugs) Sometimes!

Lucky: Yeah, well. Looking at everything... Which is kinda hard to avoid right now... I've been thinking. You don't really get ENDINGS in life. You just... You only know something's over when something else starts. Like you don't see what you've gotten past until you start to see where you're going. Make sense? (Luke blinks)

Luke: Ah. THOSE kind of deep thoughts.

Lucky: Don't say I didn't warn you.

Luke: Right. So what kind of beginnings are we talking about here?

Lucky: Just a thought I've been playing with.

Luke: Yeah? Have anything to do with that ring Emily's wearing around her neck? (Lucky's brow raises at that. He picks up his coffee and takes a long gulp. He puts it down)

Lucky: Interesting question, Dad.

Luke: You've been ducking it for while. (Lucky nods, then looks up at his father)

Lucky: I asked her to marry me last year. On the yacht.

Luke: I take it she said yes.

Lucky: (deadpan) Of course she did. Look at me. I'm adorable. (Luke cracks up)

Luke: Oh, man. This is not a conversation I ever thought I'd be having with my nineteen-year-old kid.

Lucky: Yeah, well. (a slow smile spreads over Lucky's lips) What did you say me when we ran away? You can't go taking off with the first girl who makes your palms sweaty? Looks like you were wrong. (Luke smiles slightly, though his forehead is knit) And yeah, I know -- we're young. We're all over that one. It's why we're not exactly shouting anything from the rooftops.

Luke: Wasn't going to say a word.

Lucky: Good.

Luke: Your mother wasn't exactly pushing any big numbers when she married me.

Lucky: Yeah, I had that in my list of arguments. Right under "You can't expect me to be traditional".

Luke: So is this your way of telling me Emily's gonna come home with that ring on her finger?

Lucky: This is... This is my way of letting you know what's going on. As for when? We elope, a lot of people are going to have our necks. Lulu, for instance. Not mention -- Mom. On the other hand, a wedding --

Luke: Her family might show up.

Lucky: You said it, not me.

Lucky: I don't know. I kinda... You raised me to look for someone I'd be able to share my life with. To find a partner. That's what she is. Since I was twelve, that's what she's been. She's who I want to be with. And yeah, one day we're going to make that legal. (He exhales) There's some irony in this conversation somewhere.

Luke: Yeah, well. I won't look for it too hard if you don't. (Lucky nods. He looks down at the bar, leaning forward on his forearms.)

Lucky: (quietly) You still love her.

Luke: I do.

Lucky: And it's not eating you alive? (Luke says nothing) Dad --

Luke: I can't explain it to you, Lucky. (He reaches across the bar, putting a hand around the back of Lucky's neck.) You can't expect me to be traditional. (Lucky cracks a smile, but averts his eyes) I'll always take care of her. She gave me a lot. You'll get there with Emily one day. Where... no matter what happens, only one person was there with you. Things might get dark -- but you can't lose that connection. Not completely.

Lucky: You had your wedding ring off when you were on the boat. Before you knew she was hurt. (Luke nods. Lucky just stares at him. Finally Luke lets out his breath)

Luke: For someone who doesn't want to talk about this, you're relentless. (Nothing from Lucky) We don't work as husband and wife anymore. That was as much her decision as mine. She... wanted to be a mother first. To all three of you. (He points at Lucky seriously) I know you, Cowboy -- you turn any of this into your fault, I will personally take you down. This was between your mother and I, it doesn't have to make sense to anyone else. You're not responsible for everything, you know. (Lucky smiles slightly)

Lucky: Yeah, I'm over that, Dad.

Luke: Sure you are.

Lucky: Well, I'm getting a hell of a lot better. (He runs a hand through his hair) You keep distracting me from my point, you know.

Luke: There's more?

Lucky: Oh, I'm full of surprises. (Luke looks at him expectantly) Do you remember that guy who was hanging around here a lot last winter? Travis -- long brown hair, beard. (Luke frowns)

Luke: Sounds like half the people we get in here.

Lucky: Sat at the bar a lot. Knew less about blues than Nikolas, which is really saying a lot.

Luke: Don't suppose he got any hipper when he was off at that monastery.

Lucky: (staring him down) Travis didn't know who Lucille was. (Luke gapes).

Luke: And you SERVED him?

Lucky: Well, he wasn't here for the music. I nearly had to kick his ass for scaring the hell out of Emily. (he snaps his fingers) Which is another good point. She's about as paranoid as the rest of us now. Not that she didn't call him --

Luke: (Looking at him a bit spookily) What'd he want, Lucky?

Lucky: Uh. Me. Actually. (Luke blinks)

Luke: Who is he?

Lucky: Name's Travis Daziel, and don't ask. Point is... There's more for me in New York than being Emily's boyfriend. Daziel's got some kind of training program he wants me to join. I talked to him a few days this week... I said I'd think about it.

Luke: What are you thinking?

Lucky: That I should talk to my father about this. (Luke nods. Lucky pauses, then adds the next piece of pertinent information) I saw Frisco Jones yesterday morning. Before I flew back. He said it was on the level, and I can back out any time.

Luke: Pretty heavy stuff.

Lucky: I know.

Luke: You wanna go down that road?

Lucky: Uh... no, actually. But... It's an interesting start.

Luke: You know what my issue with them was... They had a lot of rules.

Lucky: Yeah. On the other hand... They know who I am. They know where I come from. (Luke shakes his head, like he's trying to knock something out of his head)

Luke: Frisco Jones, huh? Well. Ok, you did it again, Cowboy. I didn't see that one coming.

Lucky: (smirking) They seemed to think it was a little inevitable. (Luke nods, furrowing his brow)

Luke: You know, there is something to be said for running a Blues Club.

Lucky: Yeah. I know. (Lucky picks up the mug of coffee and drains it -- drinking it down quickly, something he knows will result in a sharp energy boost. He puts it down. His father is looking at him in some amazement.) What?

Luke: You really went and grew up on me, didn't you?

Lucky: Yeah. Sorry.

Wyndemere, Living room.

Nikolas enters the room from behind the stairs, and moves immediately to the table where Mrs. Landsbury has left a plate of scones and a steaming pot of coffee. He tosses the towel he is wearing around his shoulder onto the couch, and bends to pour himself a cup of the steaming beverage -- black. He takes a quick swig of it, and is immediately aware that he hasn't had coffee in MONTHS. Mrs. Landsbury's coffee is more like an espresso, and drinking it black...

Nik: (under his breath) I'm going to be up for the next month. (He puts the cup down and sits back on the couch, closing his eyes. Get up, Nikolas, he tells himself. You have to go find your father. You want to go find your father. Come on -- it'll be fun. He can't, however, make himself move. God, he'd love to go back to bed. Nikolas hears the sound of someone on the stairs behind him, but doesn't bother to open his eyes and investigate. They'll let him know who they are soon enough.)

Stefan: Nikolas?

Nik: One and the same. (Stefan frowns. He was hoping that Tibet would dry up Nikolas's disturbing tendency to say things that might as well come out of Lucky Spencer's mouth. He descends the stairs, and crosses the room to where Nikolas is sitting. Nikolas forces his eyes open and looks over at his father, a wane smile on his lips.) Hi. (Stefan stares at him, his expression -- say it with me now -- unreadable)

Stefan: So your presence here was not a gross exaggeration. (Nikolas's smile spreads)

Nik: That sounded almost like a joke. (he sits up) This is my current version of being immensely glad to see someone. (At this Stefan smiles) -- give me a minute, I'll manage to get to my feet. (Stefan reaches forward and grabs his son's hand. He pulls Nikolas up to his feet, and into an embrace. Nikolas hugs his father tightly, feeling incredibly glad, suddenly, to be home. Oh, this is why he wasn't eager to see his father... it seemed ridiculous to go through the motions of a homecoming, and then flying right back out just over 24 hours later)

Stefan: I was about to go out to the stables looking for you.

Nik: I was on the docks. I wanted to do some Tai Chi before the day started. (He pulls back from his father's embrace.) It seemed important. I have a long ahead of me. (Stefan eyes his son carefully)

Stefan: You're determined to leave today, then?

Nik: (giving his father a look) It's not something that I can negotiate.

Stefan: I realize you feel this must be done --

Nik: I feel? (Stefan lets out his breath.)

Stefan: Will you allow me to finish? (Nikolas crosses his arms, but doesn't say anything -- implying consent to listen.) I'm trying to express concern for your well-being, Nikolas. (Nikolas lets out his breath. Another reason he was worried to see his father -- he knew he was immediately going to get defensive)

Nik: I've told you -- I'm fine. (he pulls the towel off the arm of the sofa) I'm as well as can be expected.

Stefan: Nikolas. I, too, have spent months in retreat to cope with tragedies in my own life. Leaping back into the fray --

Nik: What fray? There's no fray, uncle. I'm just taking a trip. I do it all the time. (Stefan frowns at him. Nikolas sighs and sinks down onto the couch.) All right. Do you want me to admit that being back in the Western World is a little... confusing? It's... Strange. I'll give you that. But it's also very familiar, and... I made a promise. That's the end of it. (Stefan sits, rather elegantly, in the chair next to Nikolas. He eyes him carefully. Nikolas submits to the gaze).

Stefan: To your brother.

Nik: No. To Emily Quartermaine. And that's not something I take lightly. (Stefan nods.)

Stefan: As I am well aware.

Nik: I... know. It helped -- that your letters let me know how she was.

Stefan: She was the only living family of the woman you loved, Nikolas. I understand why you care so much about her well-being. That your responsibility to Miss Gibbons lives on. (Nikolas nods, clearing his throat hard)

Nik: Yes. I... Thank-you for respecting that. (Nikolas begins to twist the towel in his hands) I know it would have been difficult for you to accept the actual woman in question.

Stefan: I was never given the opportunity. (Nikolas nods. He untwists the towel, then begins to twist it in the opposite direction) Nikolas. (he lets out his breath. He looks up)

Nik: (blankly) Yes.

Stefan: The course of your life... is a separate thing from the course of your emotions. You loved this woman. You suffer her loss. That is all that need be of importance now. (Nikolas breathes carefully. Yes, a part of his brain speaks up. Because she's DEAD. It's easy to be the ideal father when you don't have to deal with the torch singer Spencer-hired ex-girlfriend of a New York Mobster. On the other hand... His father's sincerity is there, plain to see. One thing that he knows about his father -- when you can his face, you have the truth. It's when you can't that you have to worry.)

Nik: Hannah... (Nikolas stops. Nope. No further words are going to allow themselves to be spoken. Stefan observes this and changes the topic.)

Stefan: (softly) We haven't had the opportunity to discuss how your sanctuary was -- how it's helped or hindered. And I realize we lack the luxury of time.

Nik: (smiling slightly) I had to see Lulu last night. It would be too much for me to come and go in the same day for her -- she's only five.

Stefan: I'm not questioning your choices.

Nik: (looking up at him) I was out until three o'clock in the morning last night -- you know that I wasn't with my sister all that time. (Stefan nods. This is something of a test -- see how seamlessly Stefan can handle himself when speaking of Lucky)

Stefan: On the contrary, I know you were fencing with your brother in the courtyard. (Nikolas bows his head, trying not to laugh. Damn -- yeah, like that would have gone unnoticed by his father)

Nik: It's a long story.

Stefan: I will save you the trouble of relating it and simply assume you were resolving some sort of controversy. (Nikolas lets out his breath)

Nik: In a manner of speaking.

Stefan: I admit, it did give me pause. Though... I began to suspect it was a good sign... (he narrows his eyes a little) You seem much yourself than when you left. I just hope that I'm not letting my desires interfere with reality. (Nikolas smiles slightly)

Nik: That wouldn't be like you at all, would it? (Stefan raises an eyebrow, but says nothing. Nikolas looks away, turning his attention to the towel in his hands again. He studies the cotton as he speaks.) I'm... glad I took your advice. I know it ... was... hard for some people. But I don't think I would have been much use if I'd stayed here. (He looks up and gives his father a weak smile) Lulu seems to have forgiven me. I don't know if she really understands, but... she was just happy to see me back. (Stefan smiles.)

Stefan: As are we all. (Nikolas allows himself more of a smile, but stares harder at the towel.)

Nik: I wish I could stay longer.

Stefan: You are returning. (Nikolas makes a face)

Nik: I don't particularly want to linger there. (He lowers his head, looking at the twisted towel intently. He doesn't particularly want to linger anywhere. But... it's time. He lets out a long breath) It wasn't supposed to feel like this. Coming home. (Stefan says nothing. Just waits for Nikolas to continue) I wasn't prepared for it to be this easy. (he looks up at Stefan and gives a sharp laugh) I feel like I'm missing... missing her. It feels wrong, not to feel the pain the way I used to. If... (Nikolas clears his throat again, fighting against the swell of emotion) If anything is hard about this, it's that. I was in places last night -- the docks, Kelly's... And I didn't even think about how it all connected to her until I realized... that I hadn't thought of it. (he runs a hand quickly through his hair) It's unsettling. But I know it's something I have to do. I can't ache for her for the rest of my life. Can I? (he seems to be honestly asking the question of his father. Stefan blinks, his brow knit with concern. He looks away and gives this deep thought for several moments) Stefan: Perhaps you can. Perhaps you will. (he looks back at Nikolas) Love is both simple and complex. But you have already learned that. It is difficult to move past the loss of it.

Nik: (a bit rough) I still love her. I do. I know I do. That is the one thing I truly came to understand while I was in Tibet. That no matter what else came with her, I loved her like I'd never loved a woman. And I didn't need her to be there with me in body to feel that. But it's hard to know what to do with it. Or... To ... (he shakes his head) Understand how I keep loving her when she's gone. Where I put all this... feeling.

Stefan: You can love someone who is no longer with you in body. You can love her spirit. What is difficult is loving an idea. That is what will interfere with your life. When you cannot move past the fantasy of having what you cannot. (Nikolas looks up)

Nik: Do you still love Katherine? (He and Stefan lock eyes. After a long moment, Stefan nods. He knows he's being asked about more than Katherine)

Stefan: (after a moment) Those who I have loved, I still love. Romantic or not, sensible or not -- that is where I find myself.

Nik: And Katija --

Stefan: (smiling slightly) Katija knows exactly where she stands. And it is as high a position as I can grant her -- whether she accepts it or not.

Nik: You intend to make her accept it, don't you?

Stefan: I have no intention to give up, that's for certain. (Nikolas smiles wryly)

Nik: Well, you have my blessing.

Stefan: (dryly) Perhaps she will take that into consideration.

Nik: We can only hope. (Nikolas catches the time out of the corner of his eye and sits up straight. Damn.) I ... I have to go get ready.

Stefan: (glancing at the grandfather clock in the corner) Ah, yes.

Nik: (Standing) I'll call once we've arrived. I'll have a better idea then, of when I'll be back. What my plans are, and... (he stops. He's running out of breath. He looks back at Stefan, and his shoulders droop) And... I... (he stops, looking at the floor a long moment) I... I have to do this, father. Once this is done... I can move on.

Stefan: You say that as if it's a death sentence. (Nikolas furrows his brow. Maybe it is. Once this is over, Hannah will be well and truly put to rest.)

Nik: I... can't really predict where I'm going. I think I've finally learned that. That, ultimately it's all out of my control. I just... (he runs a hand through his hair, and cringes. His eyes move back to his father's) I don't... want to find out that I can't handle this again. I just... can't do that. (Stefan stands, walking the short distance to stand in front of his son. He studies his eyes a long moment, then nods)

Stefan: This is what you're afraid of. That you are wrong about yourself -- That you'll be humbled again. (Nikolas just stares at him. Stefan shakes his head. He lowers his voice) My son. (he puts a hand to his face, and smiles, looking at Nikolas with obvious pride) There's a clarity in your eyes that you lacked for some time. I'm both relieved and pleased to see it's return.

Nik: You... You mean that.

Stefan: I have every confidence in you, Nikolas. That has never changed. If you don not yet believe what you see in yourself, believe what I see. And if all else fails... (Stefan's eyes narrow slightly) Believe that Lucky Spencer will never have any intention of allowing you near his sister if you haven't passed his test. I believe, by the end of the day, you'll have your answer.

Luke's. The Parking Lot.

Lucky Spencer comes out of the front doors of the club and pulls in a lungfull of fresh air. He needs it, after that conversion. Every time he thinks he's over the family situation, he gets derailed all over again. No, it doesn't make sense. He spent two years unable to look at the lie his parents were living. Now everything's on the table, and it all makes him queasy. Ok. So a few things weren't exactly out in the open... Spencers & Cassadines were more tightly bound to each other than they'd ever been. Never underestimate the power of a good secret.

Lucky groans to himself. He's going to stop thinking about this. Whenever he gets too introspective on the topic of his parents, he gets insecure. That never goes anywhere good.

Lucky looks down at his watch. He's still got some time to kill. His Dad's taking a call from some booking agent, and Lucky's begged off to look around one last time. He knows he's not leaving PC forever -- but he also knows things aren't going to be the same when he comes back. Besides, there's something he has to get.

Lucky strolls around the side of the building to the wooden staircase that leads up to his old apartment. He's been there once since he and Emily went on the run, no one else ever moved into the room, though. Good thing -- with no real place marked as his "home", Lucky'd needed a place to stash stuff occasionally. Call it a hazard of the lifestyle.

Lucky climbs the stairs slowly, trying not to let his mind wander too far off the task at hand. Pick up this package, meet up with Nik. Emily was going to pick up Lulu, so he'd see her for about five seconds before they had to leave to drive up to Glennhurst Rehabilitation Center. It was only an hour drive, but factoring getting Lu settled, lunch with Grandma, and visiting his mother... It was going to be a long, draining day. At least at the end of it, he'd be able to see Emily. And say whatever else you wanted to, traveling on the Cassadine private jet beat the living hell out of commercial jets.

Lucky sighs heavily, and pushes open the door to the top floor. He's tired, though the coffee's given him a boost. This isn't just a lack of sleep -- it's a deep soul fatigue. Life's been taking a lot out of him -- taxing reserves that were already running on empty. So much as he hates to admit it -- he needs a break. This trip with Emily, it's not just about seeing the world -- he did that and then some by the time he was seven. This... was about rejuvenation. Restocking the well.

Lucky shakes his head. Damn. Nikolas must have gotten to him last night. Sometime around midnight, he'd begun to make a LOT of sense. The guy was still in a lot of pain... But he wasn't an open wound. Lucky hadn't realized how much he'd NEEDED Nik to be Ok again until the overwhelming relief had begun to effect his jump shot.

Still kinda hated it when life did that to him -- pointed out that maybe it hadn't been a terrible idea, giving him a brother. Another thing he shouldn't think about too long.

Lucky stops at the front door of the room he lived in for those few months. He leans his head against to closed door. Speaking of the brother...

Ah, just get it over with.

He pushes the door open with both hands, and walks into the room. He gives it only a cursory glance, then heads to the closet.

The door's still closed, the chair is still in front of it. Doesn't look like anyone's been up here. Not that it's a big surprise. Nothing here of any monetary value.

Lucky pushes the chair aside and opens the door. He steps into the closet and looks up at the crawl space opening he'd used to hide stuff in when he'd lived here. He leaps up and grabs the edge with both hands -- then, with some effort, he lifts himself up. He manages to hold himself with one hand and reach up quickly to grab the envelop he stashed up there a few months earlier. Closing his hand over it, he lets go of the edge and leaps back down to the floor. Dust follows.

Lucky rolls his shoulder, turning the envelop over in his hand. Well -- one thing he'll give himself over the last year. Certainly increased the upper body strength.

Lucky checks the contents of the manila envelop, ignoring the tightening in his stomach. He really doesn't want to get into this. He doesn't miss Hannah -- Not like Nik or Emily does. But...

But he knew her. He even liked her. And something about the whole thing doesn't rest easy with him. Things keep coming back to him -- really little things he didn't even know he remembered. Like how hard he'd been on her when Emily had first found out who the woman's real identity -- mostly because he was mad at himself for not preparing her more. Or how he'd teased her the first time they met, refusing to clarify who he was. They'd had a few moments of understanding. Even after he knew what she was. And... And he'd held her while her life slipped away.

Lucky shakes his head. Not dwelling on this. She was a pretty decent person, who died young and loved some people he cared about. Anything beyond that, he can't think about. Not right now, at least. Lucky slips the envelop into the inner pocket of his leather jacket. Right. Done here. He should go back downstairs. He turns towards the door, then stops at the sound of the outer door closing. Footsteps come down the hall. He knows who it is before she appears in the doorway, but she jumps at the sight of him.

Emily: Lucky!