Chapter Two Hundred Twenty-Three:
Hunger

Luke's Office

Luke Spencer hangs up the phone and leans back in his chair. Lucky's been doing the booking for a good six months -- Coming up with some pretty good stuff, too. Sort of nice to be taking that over again -- sort of strange, too. Seemed like he was dealing with an entirely new crowd. A lot of the regular these days were from a younger demographic. It seemed a pretty natural transition. Ah, but he'd known Lucky was leaving. And he wasn't the type of guy who got all hung up on a kid following in his father's footsteps.

Actually, maybe that was the problem. That was kinda what Lucky was doing. Well -- he'd done the short-turn on the mob thing, it was pretty damn certain it wasn't going to come back to haunt him. And WSB smacked of law enforcement. That wasn't a path he could see Lucky on long-term. He had a feeling, wherever Lucky was heading, he wasn't seeking peace and tranquility. No Buddhist Monastery for him.

They don't get less terrifying, he thinks, slumping down in his chair. This whole parenthood trip -- Just never cut him any slack. Here he'd thought the worst was over with Lucky -- hell, in a way, it was. But the fear wasn't going away. And what was more... Lulu. She'd been scaring the hell out of him this whole last year. Single Dad? HIM? For all intents and purposes, that's what he was now. And to a little girl as wide-eyed and inquisitive as his daughter. She was not the normal five-year-old. She was pretty much DOOMED to that. But it amazed him, sometimes, how her mind worked. The things she came up with. She'd always been her own person, but since her mother's accident, there was a new... quality there. Not the tantrums -- No, he understood those. Envied her the freedom to just lie down on the floor and scream. No, it was the quiet. And it was how... Unlike Lucky she was. He didn't know her the same way. In Lucky, there'd always been a lot of himself to help him navigate the turns. Lulu... She was more of an enigma to him. And just as scary as her brother in every way. Even some exciting new ones.

The things he could imagine happening to Lulu where many and every time he thought he'd maxed out the terror-o-meter, he'd come up with something new. Mostly, he tried to focus on the basics: He tried to work on not screwing her up.

You'd think that wouldn't be too tall an order, but then... you would never have tried to raise a daughter, pretty much on your own. Sure, he'd been everything to Bobbie -- him and Ruby. But they'd had her become a prostitute before her sixteenth birthday. There were no words about how much earth he'd move to make sure nothing even CLOSE to that happened with Lu. No way, no how. He knows he's shaping up to be the ultimate double standard father -- thank God there was enough space between his kids that Lu wouldn't remember just how much freedom he'd given Lucky. No, sons were different. With Lu, it was going to be all about home and hearth. He'd always thought he'd needed Laura to keep that in him. Maybe he did -- because her daughter was inspiring the same thing in him. If all else failed, he'd make sure she had a lot of choices -- people she could go to. Lucky hadn't had that. Maybe he'd liked it that way... But it seemed to have backfired, and it wasn't a road he wanted to go down. Not again.

Probably that was why he wasn't feeling queasy about his son up and getting married at the age of nineteen... or twenty, or whenever they got around to it. Truth be told, he'd been expecting that one. They were practically married already -- no matter how vague they were about living arrangements. He'd watched them the nights they were both working the bar. They communicated without talking -- with looks, small gestures -- worked together well. They had fun together. And God, they were in love. He knew the symptoms well, and they had them all. They were in for the long-haul. In his more cynical moments, Luke wondered if they'd already picked out the old-folks home they planned to stick him in.

Luke lets out a long breath and reaches over to the second drawer down on his desk. He pulls it out, and reaches in blindly, pulling out the papers he knows are there. He tosses them onto the desk blotter and stares down at the words on the front page.

He'd known they were coming. She hadn't sprung it on him. And he knew why she was doing it. Sure, the hospital, her situation -- that was part of it. But the rest of it had all unfolded the night they'd made love in the rainstorm. They'd spent the night in the shack down by the docks, and by sunrise, they'd both known it was over. Luke was never really going to be able to let go of what happened with Lucky -- the secret, maybe he could have gotten past that. The lie... She was his princess. His angel. It was a body blow, but... but he knew, in the pit of his stomach, that he would have swallowed it.

Damn, it was Lucky. Would kill the kid to know it, but it WAS. It was what she did to HIS son to protect the Bat's kid, and... And yeah, that was part of the problem with the "Prince", too. Lucky seemed to be letting go of it -- Luke had always thought his son a bigger man than he was -- but Luke still found it cut him up inside. And it would have eaten away at his marriage, if they had continued it beyond that night. It was hard to let go of the look on Lucky's face that day at the Penthouse. Him screaming that he was a lousy son. Or the way he'd thrown those sleeping pills across the room the night before he left town. His constant taunting -- begging to be hit, to be ... what? Punished. To be given the excuse to just go right off the deep end. He wasn't seeing that stuff in his son anymore -- and thank GOD for that -- but it had been there. And that was the part Luke couldn't get past.

Laura had her reasons too. And Luke could still admit they held water -- all of them. She felt like she'd split herself -- and that couldn't happen anymore. She had to be whole, and she had to be by herself. It was the only way she could be the kind of mother she wanted to be. The fact that it killed him to even hear her say it proved her right.

But then came the "accident". And everything changed. Luke hadn't known what he was going to do about it at first. He'd felt so numbed out by it. Hadn't been able do much more than go by the window and look at her. Not until after things had gotten squared away with Lucky. Lesley hadn't seemed to want him there anyway, and... and it was hard. It was hard for him to grasp the reality of what had happened. To all of them -- to his kids, his marriage, his wife. The ramifications were so huge... He'd ended up trying to stay out of everyone's way -- Lucky's, Lesley's. Tried to keep his grief to himself, not to show what was going on in him to the outside world. What good was that going to do? He'd never felt so messed up in his life, and that was saying something. But he'd also never been less capable of doing anything about it. So he'd kept his distance and tried to figure out where the hell he fit in now. He'd given the woman her ring back. They'd talked about where things were going to stand when they got back to Port Charles. But she was Laura, and... and what the hell else was there to say? For better or for worse... no matter what happened, those words meant something to him.

So. What did he want to do? Take over. Get those damned Cassadines away from her. MAKE her get better. What did he decide he had to do?

What she'd told him she wanted him to. To let go -- to help her be a mother.

He'd told Lucky and Nik to make a choice because he knew it needed to be them. They were her children, they were the ones she wanted to put first, and... Well, he knew Lucky wasn't going to let Nik railroad him. He knew he could count on the kid to deliver a solution Laura would like. Respond to. Long term -- she had. And yeah, it had been pretty dicey with him and Lucky after all that... But that was something else Luke had finally accepted. Like that saying people slap on inspirational posters with pictures of birds. You love something... set it free.

Luke picks up a pen and holds it over the paper. Ok. It's right there. Lucky knows now. And he's handling it. There's no reason to put this off.

Luke drops the pen and picks up the paper again, tossing them back in the drawer and slamming it shut. Yeah. Ok.

Maybe next month.

Lucky's Old Room.

Lucky and Emily stare at each other, both more than a little stunned to see each other. Lucky finds his voice first.

Lucky: What... I thought you were picking up Lu.

Em: I... I was. (She shakes his head) I mean -- I am. Soon. (Lucky furrows his brow, in confusion)

Lucky: How did you know I was here?

Em: (Stepping into the room) I saw the bike... (She gestures over her shoulder, still feeling a little weirded out) I guess I just thought you... You might already be here. (Lucky laughs slightly)

Lucky: Yeah, but how'd you know I was up here? (Emily shakes his head again, looking at him spookily)

Em: I didn't. (A slow smile appears on Lucky's face. He starts across the room towards her)

Lucky: So why'd you come up here? (Emily shrugs as Lucky closes in on her).

Em: Instinct? (Lucky reaches out, grabbing her around the waist and pulling her towards him. Emily lets out a laugh and wraps her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. Lucky returns the embrace, pulling her flush against him)

Lucky: Let's hear it for instinct. (Lucky squeezes her hard, lifting her off the ground, and then spinning her away from the door, into the room. Emily screeches as she turns, and giggles -- out and out girly giggling -- as Lucky sets her back onto the ground.) GOD, I missed you! (Emily shakes her head)

Em: I couldn't wait to see you. I tried -- I just couldn't do it anymore. (She cocks her head at him) Do you think Kevin would be disappointed? (Lucky, who isn't even standing a step away from her, his hands still on her waist, steps closer to her.)

Lucky: KEVIN. (Emily grins and backs up, moving a step backward for every step Lucky takes towards her.) Kevin... Collins... Can just (Emily's back hits the wall, and Lucky immediately cages her with his arms) Deal. (he takes a breath) Hi.

Em: Hi. (Lucky's playfulness fades as his eyes search his. Emily looks at him, expectantly. Finally, Lucky takes one arm from the wall and cups Emily's cheek in one hand.)

Lucky: You... You look good. (Emily leans back into the wall, and smiles at him, her eyes shinning)

Em: I am good. I'm fine. (Lucky nods, his eyes still fixed on hers, still taking her in.) But I missed you. (Lucky closes his eyes at her words and lets out a low groan. He moves his arms around her again, pulling her off the wall and against his body. She hugs him back, her arms sliding easily under his. Lucky buries his face in her hair, and breathes deeply. Emily slides her hand lightly across his back.)

Em: (Softly) How are you?

Lucky: (laughing slightly) Getting better. (Emily reaches up, letting her hand stroke his hair)

Em: Rough day? (Lucky shakes his head, not lifting it)

Lucky: Nothing I can't handle. (He lets out a long breath) God, you smell good. (Emily lets out a sharp laugh)

Em: Ohhhh, no. (She pulls back, and Lucky reluctantly allows her to -- though it's not like she's got a lot of room to maneuver) This is a pit-stop. I just... (She looks at him, her expression soft, and brushes his hair out of his eyes) I wanted to see you. (Lucky smiles with a hint of devilishness and puts his arms out.)

Lucky: You've seen me.

Em: That I have. (Neither one moves. Emily starts to smile) So.

Lucky: So.

Em: So I guess that's it.

Lucky: I guess. (Emily's smile spreads into a grin)

Em: You're not going to make me ask.

Lucky: Ask?

Em: You're kinda in my way. (Lucky puts one arm back on the wall and gives the dangerously practice Spencer smile.)

Lucky: Huh. (Emily cracks up)

Em: Lucky! (Lucky leans in closer to her)

Lucky: Do you want me to move? (Emily lets her shoulders rest against the wall again. She knows he's playing with her -- it's written all over his face. She lets out a long sigh)

Em: No. (She puts a hand on his chest right over his heart) I think this is why we were going to catch up on the plane.

Lucky: Nik will be on the plane.

Em: Exactly. (Lucky's lips cut her off, descending on hers with remarkable speed, given how softly they brush up against hers. Emily's eyes close and she feels her body arch towards him, entirely of it's own accord. Lucky moves his mouth over hers slowly, savoring the sensation of kissing her for the first time in two weeks. It's a dangerously romantic, loving kiss. He lets his lips move against hers without any hint of demand or urgency. Her lips are soft and pliable against his, and he revels in the feel of them. He gently pulls her bottom lip between his, his hand coming up to stroke her neck. He loves kissing her like this -- like they have all the time in the world to indulge in touch. Since that's rarely an actual reality for them, he steals whatever moments he can.

Emily lets out a small moan as Lucky pulls back. He pushes her hair out of her face. She is looking at him, eyes wide, lips parted, expression dazed. Lucky, who figured he was doing a remarkable job of keeping himself in check, feels immediately lightheaded at the look on her face. This is amplified when she reaches up and grabs the neck of his T-shirt in her hand, and pulls him back to her. Lucky's mouth descends on hers again, immediately, and she arches against him, kissing him for all she's worth. Lucky returns her passion instantly. God, she gets to him. It was like a fever that only got worse as time went on. Never more than when they were apart... Even if it was just for a few nights. It takes no time, remarkably little encouragement for him to just lose all sense of time and place. He presses his body against hers, pushing her back against the wall and letting himself drown in her kiss. He's vaguely aware of her pushing his jacket off his shoulders, moving is hands away from her only to help her discard the garment. There's the heavy sound of the envelop in his pocket hitting the ground. That throws Lucky for a second, and he turns to look for where it landed. Emily's hands lightly framing his face and turning him back to her distract him, and soon he's sunk into kissing her again -- deep and soft kisses that always impede his ability to think. His hands move around her back, and he starts to pull at her shirt, trying to pull it free of her jeans.)

Em: (gasping) What time is it? (Lucky glances at his watch almost automatically, but the numbers aren't making any logical sense to him. He flips open the band, and pulls it off his wrist, tossing it onto the bare mattress of the bed.)

Lucky: About half-past who cares.

Em: Good. (She takes his face in her hands and kisses him again. Lucky's hands run down her body, as her arms slide over his shoulders. He takes this cue and lifts her, pinning her against he wall, as her legs wrap around his waist. Lucky starts to part the buttons on her shirt with minimum patience and lays wet kisses against her skin. Emily's hands run through his hair, and her legs tighten around him. Oh, all right. That's it. He lifts his head and her lips descend on his in a deep and meaningful kiss. Lucky lets out a low groan and pulls away from the wall, taking her with him. He manages to stumble the few steps to the bed, and they both fall none-too-lightly onto the mattress. Emily laughs as the bed bounces under the assault, giggling fitfully as Lucky slides up his body up hers, and comes to settle against her, propping himself up with one arm.

He takes a moment to catch his breath, and take her in. She's still smiling -- grinning -- trying like hell not to laugh. Her eyes are bright, her face is flushes, and her chest is heaving. She looks beautiful.... And happy. And he thinks his heart is about to burst. Lucky smoothes her hair back from her face, suddenly grabbed by the throat with the realization that it's -- on at least some level -- because of him. Her laughter is fading now, and she's looking at Lucky with incredible affection. Her hands slide up and down his back, gently caressing him through the cotton of his T-shirt, while her eyes are locked on his. Lucky cracks a smile)

Lucky: I love you.

Em: You better. (She grabs the hem of his T-shirt with both hands and starts to pull it up over his head) Cause you're stuck with me.

The Parking Lot, outside Luke's.

Nikolas Cassadine steps from his limo, and glances around the empty lot. Lucky's bike is here. Which means his brother's already arrived (Yes, the Cassadine skills of deduction. He should write a book), and is probably inside talking to his father. Oh, decisions, decisions. Stand out here in the sharp Spring air soaking up some early American concrete ambiance, or head inside and make his presence known?

Yeah. He leans back against the car, waving the driver away, and digs his hands into the pockets of his trench coat. Maybe he's been shot in this Parking Lot, but staying out here STILL feels like the smart decision. He looks at his watch. Little early yet... Best to just stay put.

Lucky's Old Room.

Lucky and Emily lie on his bed, still half dressed, and kissing languorously. Their urgency's diminished considerably, but they haven't managed to disengage from each other yet. A particularly deep and soft kiss comes to an end, and Emily lets out a contented sigh before opening her eyes. Lucky is looking at her, a decidedly smug smile on his face. They gaze at each other in silence for several moments before Emily smiles, and asks her question.)

Em: So. What do you suppose that was?

Lucky: Fringe benefit of physical separation? (Emily laughs softly, and allows herself to kiss him again.)

Em: Kinda fun. Think we should do that more often?

Lucky: (emphatically) No. No thanks. (He slides his hand into her hair, and pulls her closer to him, giving her a long and thorough kiss. He pulls back, lightly brushing his lips against hers. Emily groans.)

Em: We have to go...

Lucky: I don't know what you're talking about. (Emily smiles)

Em: You know, I just LET you be the irresponsible one because you enjoy it so much. If I actually agreed with you, you'd be kicking me out of bed right now. (Lucky laughs softly, and kisses her again, long and slow)

Lucky: You want to put that to the test?

Em: (closing her eyes) You never play anything close to fair.

Lucky: Yeah, I hear that's how you lose. (Emily opens her eyes and smirks at him)

Em: Cute. (She pushes herself up into a semi-sitting position and looks around the room a bit blearily) Ok. Clothing. (Lucky sits up and grabs Emily around the waist, pulling her back to him)

Lucky: No no no no no... Don't.

Em: Your brother's going to be here soon. And you said you had to talk to your Dad --

Lucky: Not yet. (He nips lightly at the skin at the base of her neck.) Stay with me. (Emily lets out a long sigh and leans back against him)

Em: Twist my arm. (Lucky smiles, his lips pressed to her shoulder. He lets out a long breath, and loosens his grip on her.)

Lucky: Ok, Ok. You're right. (Emily lets out a sharp laugh, and twists around to look at him)

Em: See? Do I know you, or what? (She slides her hand around the back of his neck and gives him a final, drawn out kiss. They break and smile at each other. Emily sits up again and slides off the bed. She looks down at her watch.) Oh, God... I have ten minutes to get dressed and get ready to go over to your aunt's place without looking like I just rolled out of my boyfriend's bed. (She starts to button up her shirt.) You're so lucky that was worth it. (Lucky laughs, lying back down on the mattress. He tucks on arm under his head and looks up at the ceiling.)

Lucky: What's so wrong with looking like you rolled out of your boyfriend's bed?

Em: Highlight of that last sentence -- Your AUNT.

Lucky: (tisking his tongue) Oh, what will people think?

Em: (looking under the bed) I don't want to know.

Lucky: So, occasionally, in moments of passion, we actually act our age. I think some people would be relieved. (Emily rolls her eyes, and grabs her jeans from the other side of the bed.)

Em: I have a rep to maintain here, Spencer.

Lucky: Don't you think this one's a little more interesting? (Emily looks up at him, and blinks.) Hey, if you're dating me, how intact do you think your reputation can possibly be? I almost got arrested for murder, kidnapping and relieving you of your virtue. (Emily puts a hand on her hip.)

Em: Are you just going to lie there? Don't you have to be some place? (Lucky lifts his head and looks over at her, then down at his half-clothed body)

Lucky: (looking around) I have a lot less to put on. (Emily makes a face, and turns on her heel, moving across the room to the bathroom. She shoots him a look at the door, then goes inside, letting the door close a little harder than she has to. Lucky grins and lies back on the bed. He closes his eyes, and listens to the sounds of running water. He feels, at this moment, truly and deeply peaceful. He had no idea that he was going to be that relieved to see her back in one piece. It was like ... Like some weight he hadn't even known he was carrying has been lifted. So she was right. That wasn't a surprised. Time apart -- this time -- was a good idea. It was something they'd both needed to know. And he knows he has no business being this happy right now -- but something about Emily -- about being with her, in any way, shape or form -- makes everything a little less real for him. How bad could his life possibly be when he had this woman as his partner? The faucet turns off, and Lucky waits a few moments before he hears the door open. He sits up and finds Emily standing in the doorway again, her jeans on and her shirt a little more buttoned. She cocks her head at him)

Em: My shoes went WHERE, exactly?

Lucky: (shaking his head) I have no shoe-related memory. (Emily rolls her eyes, though she smiling, and moves across the room. She picks up her purse, and moves back towards the bed. She looks down at Lucky and smiles again. He's got the most incredible look on his face. Really open, calm, soft expression. She's coming to know that look well -- it's what Lucky looks like when he's content. It still turns her into mush. She knows it's showing on her face.)

Em: (softly) It's kinda nice, being back here. Especially today. (Lucky smiles, nodding a little)

Lucky: Yeah. It's been awhile.

Em: I think... The last time I was here, we were dancing to the music from downstairs, and you were trying to stop me from panicking about running away from home. (She lets her shoe drop to the floor and sits down on the foot of the bed. She looks over at Lucky) You kept telling me it would be Ok. Looks like you were right, huh? (Lucky frowns)

Lucky: That's a very.... Forgiving way of looking at it.

Em: (Shaking her head) It's the truth. You know, in the end? You and me -- we're Ok. We got through. Things got really bumpy for a while, but... We're still breathing. We're still in love. (A smile tugs at the corner of Lucky's mouth) And we still have a future. Speaking of which... How was your meeting? (Lucky furrows his brow, feigning confusion)

Lucky: Meeting...

Em: Lucky! Come on. Tell me -- how IS Travis? (It hadn't taken long for Emily to spot Travis as a suspect character when she'd met him last winter. He'd been around a lot, but the second he started asking questions about her boyfriend, Emily had pegged him as more than he appeared. She was right, and Lucky was still pretty impressed by that. This isn't a lighthearted subject between them, though. Lucky slides down to her end of the bed, and takes her hand in his. Emily looks at him, trying unsuccessful not to let her concern appear on her face.)

Lucky: Travis... Yeah. I think he's had better months. It was weird.

Em: Weird. By normal standards, or by OUR standards? (Lucky raises his eyes and meets hers)

Lucky: Ok. Had his sister handcuffed to a chair in the lobby. Weird enough for you?

Em: His SISTER?

Lucky: (Shrugging) I didn't ask. I think she's a little...

Em: Unbalanced?

Lucky: Insane. He walked in and said "Lucky, this is my sister Jessica." -- She spit at me, he said "Ok! Let's talk." (Lucky shakes his head) I thought 'Yeah. These are quality people you're getting involved with, Spencer. No warning signs here.' (Emily smiles, brushing his hair back from his face)

Em: So you're involved.

Lucky: They're only offering training, no strings. I don't have to make any decisions for at least a year.

Em: Oh.

Lucky: Em... (He tips her face up so that their eyes meet. She looks more than little apprehensive. He slides his hand around the back of her neck and brings his face close to hers) The only thing I know about my future right now... is that I want to be with you. That's a definite. Everything else comes after that -- Everything else works around you, not the other way around. I'm not looking to be the next Frisco Jones. I'm not even trying to be the next Luke Spencer. I'm just looking for who I'm gonna be. (Emily nods)

Em: I know. I do. This... could lead... Somewhere.

Lucky: (nods) I don't think I can leave it alone. I mean -- I could...

Em: But you'd always wonder. I get that. (She pulls back, and turns her attention to her purse, opening it and pulling out her make-up case.)

Em: I just... don't like the idea of these people when they aren't getting what they want from you. I mean, they're being so ACCOMMODATING. (Lucky smiles, watching her struggle to grab her eye liner and mirror while trying to appear detached.

Lucky: Emily... I'm Luke Spencer's son. I'm the brother of an International Financier/Prince. I'm one of the half-a-dozen people on the planet who knows what really happened to Helena Cassadine, and I'm in love with a mob princess. (Emily looks up, her mouth open.)

Em: Hey!

Lucky: Ok, Ok. But you're connected, Em. We both are. AND... Lest we forget, you're also the daughter of a Quartermaine --

Em: Is there a point to this list of auspicious claims to fame?

Lucky: Point is...

Em: Do they know you used to work for Jason?

Lucky: They know way more than I like to hear about. Which... Is another reason to be on THEIR side, instead of... Other alternatives. But come on -- You know me. Just how long do you think I'm going to be able to stomach taking orders from someone?

Em: Can you be a freelance... (She frowns) Ok, what are you if you're in the WSB? A cop? A spy?

Lucky: Whatever it is, it isn't me. But...

Em: (Smiling slowly) Connections.

Lucky: This could just get interesting. And you know what I'm like when I'm bored. (Emily nods, still smiling)

Em: You want to hear something truly terrifying? (Lucky raises his eyebrows)

Lucky: Truly?

Em: I think I'm more freaked out about how much I'm not freaked out than I am by... what's actually happening. Does that make sense? (Lucky shakes his head)

Lucky: (teasing) None.

Em: (sighing heavily) I don't know. It just... should bother me more. Like... why is it Ok with them that you used to work with Jason? I mean, aren't they kinda the 'law'?

Lucky: Jason's not much of an international threat, Emily. A mob boss who won't touch drugs and prostitution? That's almost quaint. (Emily nods, staring off into space) Hey. (She blinks and looks over at him. Her expression is still a little clouded) What's bothering you?

Em: (making a face) It's kind of stupid.

Lucky: Are you worried about me? Is that it? (Emily takes a long time to answer. Her eyes search his for a long time before she turns away)

Em: It's just... I can't shake this feeling that somewhere, out there, there's someone who's... destined for you.

Lucky: You're destined for me. I'm not looking anywhere else.

Em: Not like ME! I mean... another type of destined. Some guy --

Lucky: Guy? (she looks back at him)

Em: Let me finish! Some ONE with evil intentions and a bad accent, who has your name all over them. EVERYONE in this town has some kind of arch enemy, Lucky. And I know that one day I'm going to open my front door and there will be someone standing there twirling his --

Lucky: Or her --

Em: Mustache, and saying "Mzus Spenzah, I preezume?"

Lucky: What if I promise to watch out for women with mustaches and bad accents? (Emily looks up at him, her expression serious)

Em: Lucky. (Lucky meets her eyes, unflinching)

Lucky: If you want me to walk away, just say the word. I'll do it for you.

Em: You know I'd never ask you to do that. (Lucky smiles at her)

Lucky: No -- You'd apply to NYU without making a big deal of it, and then throw over your plans to go to Berkeley so that i COULD do this.

Em: Going to NYU is about a lot more than the WSB and Travis Daziel.

Lucky: I know. My father thanks you, my sister thanks you, and I thank you.

Em: (moving closer) I'm not going to be the reason you leave your family. (Lucky moves in to kiss her, then pulls back slightly at the last second)

Lucky: You are my family. As much as anyone. (Emily smiles, incredibly touched at his words)

Em: (a whisper) I want to be with you so badly. It's the only thing I know I want for sure. (Lucky closes in and kisses her, softly, lovingly. He pulls back and Emily smiles at him, her eyes filling with tears.) She slides her arms around his waist and moves to embrace him. Lucky's arms close around her, and he holds her close)

Lucky: You know, making plans doesn't always work out so great for us. (Emily laughs slightly and puts her head down on his shoulder) So I say -- we play it by ear. And we never forget what the real priority is.

Em: (muffled) Us.

Lucky: Always. (he pulls back, and takes Emily's face in his hands, looking directly in her eyes) We've never been stronger. And we're only gonna get better. I believe that. I really do. (Emily nods, her eyes searching his. She knows he means it. But she can tell there's something else behind his words)

Em: Something happened.

Lucky: What do you mean? (Emily gives a slight smile, then covers his hands with hers, and pulls them away from her face. She holds his hands in hers)

Em: I don't know. I just know something happened. (Lucky gives her a crooked smile)

Lucky: You're good, you know that?

Em: I've been told.

Lucky: (after a moment) I talked to my Dad about the papers. It wasn't a huge... THING. I just... I told him about us -- getting married. And he told me he'd let me know when he signed the things. (Emily lets out a long breath)

Em: Wow. (Lucky shakes his head. He rubs the back of her hand with his thumb)

Lucky: I don't know why, but it feels Ok. I thought... I thought I'd see you, and... Feel all cut up inside. But I didn't. I looked at you, and just felt like... Everything's going to be Ok. Like what happened to my parents doesn't have to happen to us, and even... (he takes a breath) Even if it did, somehow... I'm never going to regret loving you. I just... you're too much a part of who I am. I'm not... Scared. (Emily raises her eyebrows. That's not a word Lucky enjoys a lot.) I'm just kinda... calm. It all feels really... Ok. (Emily nods. She smiles at him, then pulls her hands from his and leans forward, hugging him again)

Em: I love you.

Lucky: I know.

Em: We REALLY have to get going. (Lucky laughs slightly)

Lucky: Yeah. We really do. (he pulls back, and they exchange a soft kiss. He lets Emily free of his embrace, and smiles at her) We were having a problem with shoes? (Emily beams at him, and nods)

Em: Wanna help me look? (She turns and crawls over to the other side of the bed, and hands herself over the edge. After a second, Lucky starts to follow, only to be greeted with his T-shirt flying towards him and landing on his shoulder. He sits back and takes it in his hand, examining it. Emily continues hunting for the shoes while Lucky pulls his shirt on, and lets out a cry of triumph when she finds them over by the end of the bed, near the window. She reaches out for them, then stops.)

Lucky: Find them?

Em: Yeah... (She reaches out and grabs something off the floor, then pulls herself up and looks at Lucky questioningly.) What's this? (Lucky looks over. Emily has picked up the envelop with her shoe.)

Lucky: That's... (He lets out a long breath) For Nik.

Luke's Parking Lot.

Luke Spencer comes out of the club, in search of his kid. Lucky was supposedly coming back, but he's since vanished into thin air. Luke stops dead at the sight of Nikolas Cassadine, fresh from Tibet, leaning against a long black limo in his parking lot. Nikolas is looking at him with an impassive and unreadable gaze. God Damnit... Luke shakes his head and heads over to the kid.

Luke: Well, well. The Dark Prince rides back into town on his trust steed, leather interior and all. (Nikolas looks at Luke for a long looooooong moment)

Nik: Hello, Luke.

Luke: (looking past Nikolas) You seen Lucky out here?

Nik: (nodding in the direction of Lucky's bike) He's here some place. (Luke looks back and meets Nikolas's eyes. He stops himself short of saying something)

Luke: Yeah. Yeah, he is. Question is where.

Nik: He hasn't come by since I've been here. (Luke nods slowly. Nikolas doesn't flinch under his gaze, but his skin is crawling. He hates it when Luke does this -- like he's staring him down. Nikolas refuses to look away)

Luke: (finally) Look. You're back in town when?

Nik: Next Sunday. Night.

Luke: You busy Monday morning? (Nikolas blinks. Excuse me?)

Nik: Monday... I haven't organized any sort of calendar yet.

Luke: Now, was that your version of an answer?

Nik: (trying not to grit his teeth) Monday morning -- to the best of my knowledge -- is free.

Luke: Good. You be here at 11: 00. We're gonna set down some ground rules. No lawyers, no witnesses. You leave the fangs at home, I'll lock my guns in the desk. See if we can't work something out without intermediaries. (Nikolas stares at Luke in no small amount of shock)

Nik: You want... What?

Luke: I wanna give my son a break. I want him to know that he's not going to have to keep looking over his shoulder to make sure we're not ripping into each other. And I figure the sooner we start trying to work out whatever the hell place you're gonna have in my little girl's life, the better. Some chance that, when Lulu comes home to Port Chuckles, you and me aren't gonna be giving her stomach aches. (It takes a moment for Nikolas to shake himself out of his shock)

Nik: Well. We agree on that much. I guess that's a start.

Luke: Yeah. It could be. Of course, you step out of line, I will take you down. Just so you understand. (Nikolas stares at him. Ok. So at least he knows he's talking to the real Luke Spencer and not some body-snatched version. He nods)

Nik: Next Monday, then.

Luke: (nodding) You be on time, kid. I don't have all day to wait around for you. (Nikolas frowns. Oh, just let it go, he tells himself. He's saved the fight with the urge to snap back when he hears the sound of someone hurrying down the stairs beside the building. A second later, Emily appears. She sees him, and her eyes light right up. A moment that definitely is good for Nikolas's sense of self)

Em: Nikolas! (Emily, looking about eight thousand times better than the last time Nikolas saw her, barrels down the stairs and throws herself at her friend. Nikolas laughs, and hugs her as her arms close around him, hugging him tightly) You're BACK!

Nik: That's what I hear. (he straightens up and looks down at his brother's girlfriends glowing expression. Wow. Lucky had said Emily was doing better, but Nikolas wasn't prepared for this.) God, it's good to see you!

Em: Very good to be seen. (She pulls back, grinning wildly.) Wow, this is... (she catches sight of Luke in the corner of her eye, and turns in his direction) Weird. LUKE! (Emily embraces Luke, who looks over his shoulder to see his son appear at the bottom of the stairs, then smirks)

Luke: Emily! Must have been a good twenty-four hours. (Emily pulls back, looking more than a little giddy. She runs a hand through her hair)

Em: Yeah, just... sharing the love. (she turns around to see Lucky has reached the bottom of the stairs and is giving her a very odd look. She shakes her head) Emily, do you think you should go pick Lulu up? Yes, Emily -- I think that would be a GREAT idea. Ok -- Exit stage right.

Lucky: Em. (Emily turns and Lucky reaches out his hand) While you're sharing love. (She flushes a bit, then moves towards him. She hugs him tightly and Lucky murmurs something Nikolas and Luke can't hear in her ear. She nods, then pulls back and gives him a quick kiss before pulling back.) See you soon.

Em: Yep. (She crosses her eyes at him -- a sure sign that she's going a little overboard on the action, then turns, head down, and starts across the parking lot to her car.) See ya! (Luke, Lucky and Nikolas all watch Emily go to the car, get it, start it and peal out of the parking lot, headed for the brownstone. Nikolas looks back at Lucky, a bit confused)

Nik: Is she Ok?

Lucky: (dryly) Peachy. She just gets excited when she sees you guys in close proximity and there's no blood. (Luke smirks, then takes a step back.)

Luke: Nikky-boy and I were just coming to an understanding. (He looks at Lucky meaningfully) Don't say I never did anything for ya. (Luke turns and moves at a slow ramble back into the club. Lucky watches him, his forehead creased. He looks over at Nikolas after the club door closes)

Lucky: He was civil?

Nik: He was civil.

Lucky: Huh.

Nik: Yeah, that was my reaction. (Lucky nods, slowly, then starts for the club)

Lucky: I'm gonna go say my good-byes. (Nikolas nods)

Nik: See you on the other side.